Our Birth Story

I don't know about you, but I always find it interesting to hear about other people's love stories and the stories of when they have their children. It's neat to read about the experiences and also sometimes encouraging to know that we aren't alone in our trials and struggles of life.

I have been meaning to write about when I went into labor... but you know how it is with a newborn! I finally have a chance to sit down and THINK... so here I am... sharing our experience with YOU! (Warning: This is a long post!)

January 22, 2011

Early in the afternoon, I began cooking this amazing chili recipe. It was the first time I'd ever made chili (so I didn't know how good it was until later). I planned on blogging about it the next day... sharing the recipe and some pictures with you all. It was seriously SO scrumptious!! Well, about 5:30PM, as we were waiting for the chili to finish up... I was sitting on the couch and was all of a sudden struck with this horrible back pain!

Have you ever carved a pumpkin at halloween time and scraped the goop out with a big metal spoon? That's what the pain felt like. Like someone was taking a big metal spoon and scraping my lower spine.

Cory was on the love seat... and when I told him what was happening, I could see the semi-panic in his eyes! But the pain went away after 30 seconds or so... and we went about our business. It was chili time!

(That chili was SO good.. I will share the recipe one of these days!)

Later that night, I started getting those pains again. I wasn't sure if they were contractions because my tummy wasn't always tightening, like they say happens. We decided to time them anyway just to be sure. Cory found a site online that is a contraction timer/tracker. It times and records the info... pretty sweet!

The pains were erratic... sometimes 10 mins apart... sometimes 20. They weren't totally unbearable, so we decided eventually to just go to bed.

I had a hard time falling asleep because the pains would come and go... I got to snooze here and there... and every time it woke me up, I'd glance at the clock to try to keep tabs. After 1AM, I finally started noticing that these pains were 5-7 mins apart. I still didn't know if they were contractions since it was pretty much just my back that was hurting... but I got Cory up and we decided to call the maternity ward at the hospital.

They agreed that I should come in... so I hopped in the shower and then we got everything together and drove over to the hospital. (Thankfully it's only 3 mins away!)

Once at the hospital, I had to do some registering stuff and preliminary blood pressure checking, etc. and then I was wheeled up to maternity. The nurses had me change and lay down... and they strapped on the contraction monitor and the fetal heartbeat monitor. Cory paid attention to what the nurse explained about the monitors and he was diligently watching the info scroll across the paper.

I think we were there about 2 hours... I was only 1-2 cm dilated... and the nurse announced that the monitor wasn't registering my pains as contractions!!!

I about crapped! (Not literally). How could it not register!? The pains were BAD! The nurses were guessing that maybe the baby was sunny side up and that's what was causing the back pain.

So, they asked if I wanted to go home... or wanted to stay.

I figured that we might as well go home since 1-2 cm isn't all that much. Who knew how long it would take to really get the show on the road!

So, home we went... where I tried to lay down and rest.

HA! Every 5 minutes I was in pain. It was so intense! Poor Cory was trying everything to help me. I literally was trying all sorts of positions to relieve the pain. At one point, I had my legs on the landing of our steps, and I was leaning forward 2 steps down with my head almost touching the floor... trying to keep the baby from putting pressure on my lower back. It didn't help. The final thing that seemed to work the best was to lean up flat against the wall as a "contraction" came... and bend my knees for support... then grab under my belly and lift it until the contraction subsided. It helped a little... but there was never any total relief!

We were laboring at home from about 4AM until 2PM when I just couldn't take it anymore. I called maternity again and they told me to come back in.

Back at the hospital, I had to wait while other people were registering at the desk... so I looked like a goober trying to grin and bear the contractions. Nurses passed by... but apparently they didn't realize I was pregnant! Finally a lady came out and they got me a wheel chair to wheel me upstairs.

I felt like such a goober!

Back in my room, changed and in the bed... Cory gave me play-by-plays of the strength of my contractions via the monitor. It was odd because some of them that registered high... didn't hurt so bad. Some that registered low were really painful. Weird.

My mom came. We turned on the Packers game as a distraction... but honestly, I couldn't even watch. I was just trying to get through each contraction.

My sister and mother in law came, but they stayed in the waiting area. My sister had my mom's laptop and was giving play-by-plays via Facebook of how my labor was going. (Oh, the joys of social networking!).

My mom was sending texts to different people to let them know how things were going... until finally, it got to the point that I couldn't stand the sound of her pressing the cellphone buttons. I made her put the phone away! HAHA! I also was going insane over some guy on his cellphone in the hallway outside of my room. The door was ajar, curtain pulled... and I don't even know what the guy was saying... but he was such an idiot that I kept telling them to shut him up and that he needed to go away. (Hey, when you're in pain... you can't help what gets on your nerves!).

The guy eventually left or something... and the nurses ended up moving me to the rocking chair. They thought it might be a nice change of position.

I was SO tired. Cory sat beside me in a chair... and as I rocked... I could feel myself falling asleep between contractions. It was so odd... because it was only little snippets of sleep. Literally maybe 30 seconds and then the pain would be unbearable and I'd have to grip the arms of the chair.

My mom touched me... and with my eyes closed, I shook my head at her... (Hullo... DON'T touch me right now!).

After a little while, they moved me back in bed to check me... and I was about 8 cm. They decided to have me stand up (really? STAND?!) and "dance" with Cory to help things along. It pretty much consisted of him holding me up and us rocking back and forth. As the pain would come... all I wanted to do was sink to the floor... but Cory held me up. Honestly, I actually smacked him a couple of times because I WANTED to sink down lower to help the pain and when he pulled up on me, it HURT!!

At this point, we'd been at the hospital about 3-3.5 hours....

All of a sudden... I felt the urge to push! We were still standing... and I started to panic. I think my mom got a nurse, I don't even know... all I remember was being told to get back into bed and the nurses saying that they sent for the doctor.

It was seriously FOREVER before the doctor came. I was complaining about how long it took her to get there... give me a break!

She finally came around 6PM... and at 6:12PM, I started pushing. What an exhausting process! I felt like I could never catch my breath and just when I needed to stop and regroup... they'd want me to push AGAIN!

6:33PM was the final push... and our sweet little Eloise was brought into the world. My mom cried, "It's a boy!"... and 5 seconds later, the nurse or doctor (like I really know which one at that point!)... said "It's a girl!!" - Of course I was like.. "WHAT?"... so I turned to look at Cory and he confirmed that it was a girl!!

38 weeks, 5 days... and we had our little girl! She was placed on me and we got our first good look at our amazing little 7 lb, 4.5 oz blessing!

Daddy's girl from the start!!

As I was finishing up the labor process... Cory took Eloise to the rocking chair, where he sat with her the whole time... just soaking it all up. I watched as he transformed from wonderful husband... to wonderful daddy with his little girl in his arms.


Our hospital stay went pretty well... the nurses and staff were great... and I was SO glad to finally have some food! (I hadn't eaten anything since that Chili on the 22nd!) Oh, also (to toot my own horn).... I didn't use any pain meds at all... and the doctor and nurses commented on how well I did and how it would've been a great labor for others to watch. In the doctor's words: "...to show those sissy mom's how to do it!"--haha! (Note: I DO NOT think that taking meds makes you a sissy... that was my doctor's opinion... after the pain I went through... I don't blame ANYONE for getting meds!!)

It's hard to believe that it's been over a month since we became a family of 3. Eloise is over 9 lbs now... and is starting to grow out of her newborn outfits. *tear* We still have our ups and downs (especially with nursing... and this stupid Thrush!!!!)... but not a day goes by that I don't thank God for bringing this special child into our lives. Despite the ups and downs, He entrusted us with her... and I know He doesn't give us more than we can handle.

Here's looking forward to a lifetime of ups and downs--as the 3 of us share them all together!!

It Was A Risk I had to Take...

You know how you go through 9 months of pregnancy... and your "normal" clothes somehow decide to just shrink! You can't fit into them anymore... so they sit in your drawers and closets... lonely, waiting for the day you'll shrink?.....

Well...

Today... my favorite jeans are BACK!!!

Ok, technically, I am not wearing them... but I could if I wanted to... and let me tell you...

THAT FEELS GOOD!

I am down 16 of my 23 lbs from pregnancy... and even though the jeans aren't quite the fit that I'd like... it is awesome to be able to button them and not even have to suck it in!

WOOT!

I knew it was going to be a risk trying those pants on... if they didn't fit, I probably would have cried (what's new?)... but after getting 6 hours of sleep last night (not consecutive, of course), I had high hopes for the day...

Weigh myself? Why not?

Try on my old jeans? Sure!

Hooray!

Here is my girl today... soon to wake up for a feeding!!

(It's so hard to keep her little hands inside that swaddler!!)

Happy February 1st!!

Party Anyone?

I was thinking we might be having a Steelers Party tonight....

...in the hospital.

Yes folks, it has begun!

I started having contractions yesterday evening...

First signs were around 5:30 PM-ish... but it wasn't until around 7:30PM that I started to figure out that this wasn't just normal pain!

So... yes, I should be sleeping... Cory is in bed right now. I don't want to wake him up! Lord knows he needs his sleep as well!! I have been having VERY strong pains (as I was sleeping off and on)... so I came downstairs to use an online contraction timer (Cory thinks of everything!). I don't want to go to the hospital too early.... but I don't want to go too late either! (And I want to make sure my mom has time to drive 45 mins in the mean time!)

So... say a prayer for us!

Looks like this is going to happen... very soon!!!

***UPDATE***

Just got back from the hospital... I am in early labor.. but only 2cm. The pains I've been having are due to the baby being "sunny side up"... which we are hoping will change! Could be hours, could be days! I am off to rest!!

38 Week Update

Cory drove me to my 38 week appointment yesterday.

He stayed in the waiting room... and I got ushered back into the exam room. The very HOT exam room, I might add. However, I got taken back a few minutes early, so I was optimistic that I would only have to fan myself with the little scrap of paper I scrounged up out of my purse for only a short time.

WRONG.

I waited and waited (and fanned and fanned)... luckily the nurse didn't make me get undressed or anything right away because that would have been even WORSE of a wait.

Just when I thought the doctor was coming... in comes a nurse with Cory trailing behind. (I can only imagine the confused look on my face...)

Now, he's come to some of my appointments with me over the months.... but he's never been "in the room" (except for during an ultrasound). We were told that the doctor was delivering a baby in a different part of the hospital.

Great.

So, we waited together.

I finally went out and asked the nurse if she had any idea of the status.... because (um, hullo!) my husband would need to get back to work soon and I didn't want to keep him waiting if it could be hours! I'd call my MIL to come get me, if needed.

We decided to wait another 10 minutes... and *POOF!*... the doctor ended up appearing like 20 seconds later. No joke. Can't complain about that!

We opted for Cory to stay in the room... which I think he was a little freaked out about (he is a bit squeamish). I have to admit, it was a little awkward having an exam with a bystander, even if it was my husband!! But I think it was good for him to get a little taste of it since he could be dealing with similar and more intense awkward situations during labor!

All of this to say...

I don't have much exciting news to share.

The doctor told me that I don't have a very big baby... which, hey... I'm OK with that! Hopefully it will be better for delivery! And she didn't seem concerned with the size, which is good!

Heartbeat was good...

And... I'm only 1 cm, 80% effaced. *sigh*

I know that can mean different things for different women. Who knows how long it took me to come this far.... so I could have days or weeks to go! I'm not getting my hopes up!

The only thing that is semi-giving me hope.... is that I feel a lot more pressure... like the baby is lower.

So... STAY TUNED... we will have a report one of these days!! Promise!


On a separate note... I loved Steven Tyler on American Idol... I'm lame, I know... HA!

Still Waiting!

No baby yet... but I still have 13 days, so we're just playing the waiting game!

I have spent several hours today working on making homemade ravioli! It was my first time making any type of pasta... so it was interesting and a little more time consuming than I hoped. But I think it turned out OK and I feel good that I actually did it myself!! I'll post more about it (with pictures) tomorrow!

I've been trying to do things to keep myself busy... so now I'm off to write Thank You notes from the shower my church threw me on Sunday. It was such a nice little party and the ladies were so thoughtful in their gifts! I am so appreciative of everyone's generosity!! I don't have any pictures since I was the "guest of honor".

Hope you're all having a wonderful Tuesday! Thanks for stopping by!

Decoration Challenged

I am not a decorator. I know what I like... funky, fun, unique... maybe a little quirky and eclectic... but I can never just put things together to my own satisfaction. (So unfortunately my house looks pretty "simple"--not quite what I am going for... but it is what it is!)

Maybe it's my fear of hammering too many holes in the wall because I just can't decide what I want where.

I still have pictures and odds and ends sitting around from when we first moved in, waiting to be hung up.

I should just suck it up and get out the hammer and nails.... but I just can't quite bring myself to do it.

Yesterday, though, Cory offered to help me hang a few things in the baby's room (since I have been mentioning it off and on for months... and never acting on it!). I figured I should take the help if he was offering.... and this was the end result. (Sorry, the mobile is kind of in the way)


I know, it's not overly exciting... but I still think it's sweet.

(And NO, just cuz the walls are blue doesn't mean we're having a boy! We SERIOUSLY have no idea what we're having... blue is just the color the room was painted when we first moved in!)

One of these days I'll get those old pictures and decorations hung up...

In the meantime, here I am at 38 Weeks!


I feel like my stomach got really big in just the past week! This afternoon my church is throwing me a small baby shower. Even though I want this baby out... I was hoping it would at least wait until after today so that it didn't throw a wrench in anyone's plans! Once the shower is over... I'm READY! (Cory is hoping we can hold out until after the 21st so he can get caught up on some work stuff. It's all in God's timing... I just hope it's sooner rather than later!)

Hope you've all had a nice weekend!

Cooped Up!!

Over the past month or so... I have been feeling REALLY cooped up in this house!!

After my little car accident in December, I was pretty much stuck at home most of the time due to not having a car.

Then, I got that horrible cold! I actually didn't mind being cooped up then, since I was so miserable. (Still fighting that off a little bit.)

And also... the SNOW! We haven't gotten a ton, but there have been a number of days where the roads were too bad to venture out onto (at least for a pregnant woman in her 9th month).

So here I have sat.

Reading books and watching TV.

Trying to REST since I hear that I won't be able to much once this baby comes!

But I am going a little stir crazy!!

So... needless to say... right now, I'm one of those whiny people who say "I'M BORED!".

Normal things I would do... like crafting... take too much effort. (My only work space is the coffee table... my "stuff" is upstairs... and with the leg cramps I've been having, I don't trust myself to carry it all downstairs! And if it were downstairs, the mess would stress me out! --Especially if I were to go into labor and had no time or focus to clean it up before heading to the hospital--).

Thankfully, my mom came over on Thursday and took me out for lunch and a little shopping.

Look at my cutie pie Mini-Burger that I had for lunch!

I blindly asked for "everything" on it... and it was loaded!!!! But it was good! And it was so nice to have some adult woman conversation and get out and about for a few hours!! Thanks Mom!

But... now I am back in the house... hoping I can talk Cory into heading over to a friends to watch the STEELER game this evening!! Can you believe, he has to work this weekend just so he can take Monday off--which is already a HOLIDAY for him? (UGH!) Oh well!!

I hope that, if you are snowed in.... (or pregnant), you aren't going crazy being stuck inside--like me!

I Know, I Know...

I should be resting. And I will, I promise... as soon as I share these pictures with you.


I haven't really had many cravings during this pregnancy... but over the last month, I have really been wanting some pie crust. Not the kind you buy out of a can in the refrigerated section... or even those graham cracker crusts... but REAL homemade crust. And all the better if there is actual pie filling too, right!?


And honestly, how hard is it to make pie crust? It's one of the easiest things to throw together in my opinion (flour, salt, shortening, water--TAA DAA!).... so I decided that I would make Cory an apple pie today. Ok, maybe it's more for me than Cory... obviously, since I'm the one who wants to eat pie crust! But I am keeping it all in one piece until he gets home. (THAT'S an accomplishment!)


And the heart... that's for him.

I'd invite you over for some pie... but you know, you don't ever want to take food from a pregnant woman. Especially if it's something she's craving! ;)

1/11/11

I'm sitting inside my warm house... looking out the window at the winter wonderland that is falling all around us! They're calling for 5"-8" by tomorrow. If it keeps coming down like it is, I think for sure we will get more!! (But I hope not!)

My doctor appointment went well today. The baby's head is down and the doctor said I could "go any day". He didn't check to see if I'd started to dilate though, so I'm not going to get my hopes up too much!! We're just waiting as patiently as possible! (Come ooooon baby!!!)

The doc told me to REST, REST, REST while I can, especially since I've been trying to get over this cold. I'm tired of laying on the couch... I've read 2 books in the past couple of days and I'm about to start another. It makes the time go faster and is much more entertaining than the TV. UGH. The TV... it's so obnoxious! Thankfully, Cory is able to spend his evenings at home and doesn't have to be out and about... so I look forward to when I hear his car pull in!



My cat, Weezer, has been abnormally clingy. She constantly wants to lay on my belly. That ain't happenin'! But she seems to be content just to be near me when I push her away from my stomach... and I must admit, it's kind of nice to have a snuggly couch buddy! She will be in for quite a shock once we bring the baby home... so I'm trying to make up to her now as much as I can!! (And while she'll still let me... my cat has.. mental issues. LOL)



When the dog isn't home... Weezer likes to nose through the basket of dog toys. Not quite sure what is in there that fascinates her, but she likes to look around!

(We had a little photo shoot today, if you couldn't tell!)

Oh yes, and I wanted to share the adorable hat that my sister made for the baby! Isn't it too sweet??

We have truly been blessed by those around us who have given us gifts for the baby! I just can't wait to start using them!! :)

37 Weeks!

I have finally almost gotten this cold KICKED! Still not 100%... but I'm surprised at how fast it's gotten better despite the fact that I haven't taken any medicine. I know the doctors give you a list of "ok" meds... but I still don't trust them.

Cory put me on some home remedies of REST, a gallon of water a day, the nettie pot, breathing in steam from a pot of water and gargling salt water.

I was miserable enough not to complain... and honestly, I couldn't really move to get up off the couch anyway... except to go to the bathroom, of course. Cory would come home at lunch time to make me soup. Poor guy was still getting over being sick himself and he still took care of me at lunch time, shoveled snow at 4:30AM and went to work for 9 hours (only to come home and take care of me again). He's a special one, that Cory!

I am still going to take it easy for awhile... I have a little bit of a cough to get rid of... but hopefully I'll be back into the bloggy swing of things!

Oh yeah.... and 37 weeks... NOT LONG NOW!


I'm having little pre-labor symptoms... but when I look them up online, everyone says that they could happen for weeks before I go into labor... so I'm not getting too excited... yet.

Tomorrow is my next appointment... we'll see what they say!! :)

It Has Arrived...

... No... not the baby.

The dreaded sinus infection that I have been happily avoiding for 36 weeks!

Now, I am no doctor... so perhaps my self diagnosis isn't all that accurate... but I am pretty sure by the symptoms... that I'm dealing with a sinus infection here. Or at the very least... a VERY BAD COLD!

I don't want to go to the doctor--since I was just there on Tuesday... so I am resting (can we say--boredom?)... and trying to drink lots of water... using the Neti Pot... and well, going through quite a few tissues.

Hopefully I can kick this thing without antibiotics...

So... I might be a little lax in the blogging over the next few days..... but I'm sure you understand!

Already...

Today was my 36 week appointment...

I know, you're probably sick of hearing about
these appointments and pregnancy stuff.
But only a few more weeks and then
I'll be bombarding you with BABY talk!

Hard.To.Believe.

I've waited my whole life for this.
Seriously.
It's all I've ever wanted... and now that it's
almost here, it almost doesn't seem real.

A good friend of mine reminded me a
few months ago that I'm living my dream.

How right she was.
And I often find myself thinking of that very
fact when I am getting up to go to the bathroom for
the 12th time in the middle of the night.

Or when I can hardly walk because of the pain
from the baby "lightening".

Or when I'm bored out of my mind, cooped up in the
house with little or nothing to do because there
is only so much I can do!
(Among other things)

I have truly been blessed... and am excited for this
next stage in life!!
(Thanks for the reminder Julie!)

Oh yeah, and my appointment went well.
I've gained 22 lbs to date.
Not thrilled about it... but satisfied.

Now... what I was really meaning to write this post about..
is this..


Obviously I wasn't going to post a picture of the candy before I ate it.
That sucker didn't last 30 seconds after I got in my car!

The wrapper will just have to do.

And I post this to say... ALREADY?

The stores are not only lining the shelves with
Valentine's crap...
they're busting out the Easter stuff!

It seriously gets worse every year, I tell ya!
We're only 4 days into the new year...

It's ridiculous!

But... that Cadbury Creme Egg was quite delicious!
Can't really complain about that!

35 Weeks

Sorry for the saggy baggy sweatpants... at this point... it's all about comfort!
(such a square belly... it's just so odd to me!)

The past few days... I have watched Cory's eyes glaze over and can tell that
the wheels are cranking in his head... preparing for
(or perhaps FREAKING OUT about)
our due date approaching!

So far, so good on my end...
Ok.. maybe a little anxiety!

33 days... Hooray!

Boooooring!!

I really haven't had anything to post about lately...
so I've just kind of been taking a break from blogging.
Perhaps I'll think of something interesting sometime soon!

I had my 34 week appointment today.
All is well.

I have been having some really bad pelvic
pains (still am) for the past few weeks.
Talk about not being able to walk right or turn
over in bed without excrutiating pain!
(Among other pains!)

The doctor was concerned that maybe
it was from my car accident...
but turns out that the babies head
is down!

Yea!!

And thankfully, my cervix isn't
thinning... so we are just hoping that
the baby stays in this position until delivery!

That's the latest...

I hope you're all geared up for the holiday!
I am just waiting for the day to arrive!

33 Weeks!

Here is a picture from this morning of me at 33 weeks!

Hard to believe it's already almost over!


For some reason...
I have a square belly instead of a round one...
which I find odd!

But hey, I'm not complaining!
As long as everything is healthy and
the baby is growing!

So far, Cory and I aren't freaking out yet.
I am sure it is soon to come though!

**********

The other night, Cory put together
our stroller and car seat!


They are nice and exactly what I was hoping for!

(I've still got to get used to this image! -and please don't mind the mess!)

**********

This is how we watched football yesterday.


Yes, we are THAT weird!

But hey, ya gotta do what ya gotta do!
Cory's team (the Bills) doesn't get broadcasted on our
TV... and well, let's face it... even if they did...
I'd be watching the Steelers anyway!!!

(Cory was even nice enough to wear ear buds attached to the
computer so we could both listen to our own games! haha!)

Both teams won! WOOT!

Happy Monday!!

The Accident... and a Few Nicer Things

I'm still having a hard time after this whole car accident thing. I know it's over and done with... but I have been waking up in the middle of the night with it on my mind. It replays in my head for hours sometimes as I try to get back to sleep.

It wasn't even THAT traumatic.

I mean, seriously... I was at fault... going down a hill and around a sharp curve on snow-slushy roads (I was going a bit too fast, I admit... which was why I tapped my brakes. BAD, BAD MOVE). I fish-tailed and slid... hitting a HUMMER.

Yes, my poor little jetta hit a hummer of all things.

However, it was by the GRACE OF GOD that I only hit her tire!

I'm not even joking!

I hit her tire!

Unfortunately it went FLAT... or else we probably could've both just driven off. (My car has front driver side bumper damage).

God steered me in just the right spot or it could've been a whole lot worse!!

Turns out as well... I sort of know the lady. She works a few doors down from the teen center that we volunteer at. I didn't recognize her at all and she didn't recognize me at first (when she was chewing me out about the whole thing--NOT FUN)... but once Cory got there and was talking to her, she put my name and face together and remembered me... and even mentioned my having the Bug and Camper! She was SUPER nice after that... and even gave me a hug before it was all done with. Needless to say, I was humiliated--knowing that I may run into her again one day.

My mind is stricken with guilt and embarrassment.

And of course, I got a registered letter from the District Court for my lovely fine of $115. I've never gotten one of those before... so that was another hit. (I just hope I don't get too many points on my license, I think it might be 2--according to the internet)

Cory tried to get me to drive to the grocery store today... but I just wasn't ready. Maybe once my car is back on the road....

I can't imagine how people who go through horrific tragedies move on. I mean, my little fender bender has me up at night and afraid to get behind the wheel again. How do people live with themselves in other (more tragic) situations?

I just praise God that my situation was so mild, if not a bit scary at the time!!!

Perhaps my emotional attachment to the situation is hormonal... I have been a lot more weepy lately!!

On a positive note... here are a few pictures I wanted to share!

This is the cutie-pie rug that goes with the crib set we got... I like bees. :)


Here is the crib set... sort of. I know the quilt isn't going to be in the crib like that once Baby gets here... but it works for now, while I'm still getting things together in the room!


My friends, Jillian and Danny, sent us some cute baby gifts!



Along with these, they sent another snow suit thing for next year... and a bee costume for Halloween (I didn't want to take those out of the plastic just for a photo shoot--I figured they'd be safer left alone and packed away until next year)!

And, last but not least... we are going to cloth diaper our little munchkin.

We only got one set from our registry for my baby shower, so we ended up buying the rest of what we needed online the other night (thanks to some $$ we got from some friends and family).

However, my grandpa and his girlfriend (who wasn't able to make it to the shower) sent over a gift... and it turned out to be another set of cloth diapering stuff... and it's too cute!! I had to take a picture of the cover!

Froggy pond! :)

Sorry this post was pretty long... I haven't blogged in a few days since I have been taking it easy!! I hope you're all getting the last of your Christmas presents wrapped up! Only 2 weeks left!

A Moment of Heartbreak...

Well folks, it has finally happened.

My grandma didn't know who I was... at my baby shower.

Perhaps it's happened before and I just didn't know it... or this could be the first time.

Perhaps it's just a little blip in her brain and the next time I see her, she'll know who I am.

It's hard to say... but heartbreaking nonetheless.

I pray for 2 more months... enough time to have this baby come into the world and for my grandma to hold it. Even if she doesn't understand that it's her great grand baby... just for my own peace of mind.

It would mean the world to me.

A Shower for Baby!

This post is going to be short and sweet... with mostly pictures!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

(My cousin was able to come home from AZ for the shower!)

To see a more detailed description (and more pictures)
of my wonderful shower... please head over to my sister's blog!
I figured there was no sense in me repeating everything,
when she said it all beautifully!

A BIG thanks to everyone who helped pull the shower
together... and to all of my friends and family
who came to celebrate (and provide many
necessities for Baby!!)

I am truly BLESSED!

A Thanksgiving Feast!

This was the first year that Cory and I hosted a holiday get-together at our home. It was also the first time we attempted to cook a turkey! (Cory did all of the work on that!) I'd say it turned out pretty good!!

And it tasted delicious with all of the other food that my family brought along to share!

I think I ate a little too much! :)

*********

Today, it's just me and the cat!
Cory and some friends went to the Bills/Steelers
game today in Buffalo.
It's rare that those 2 teams play together,
so it was definitely an opportunity
they didn't want to miss!
(Since Cory is a Bills fan and his friends are Steeler fanatics!)

(...and the dog is having a sleepover at my in-laws)

I think I'll do quite a bit of relaxing today!

Come back tomorrow to check out the post about my baby shower!!

Recipe: Pecan Praline Cookies

This weekend is my baby shower. It may seem odd that we're having it on Thanksgiving weekend, however it worked out to have family in town and extra travel time for those that live out of the area. Of course there are folks that already had plans and won't be able to make it, but out of the RSVP's, we have about 45-50 coming. That's pretty darn good!
(Stay tuned for pics next week!)

My mom likes to go all out for these sorts of things. It's just her nature to go over and above! SO, she decided on having a light soup and sandwich luncheon (with other little things like fruits, veggies and crackers). Instead of a big cake, we are doing dessert trays. Assorted cookies and desserts and goodies.

As the weekend approaches, and with Thanksgiving preparations in the mix, my mom has been a little maxed out. Being the wonderful daughter that I am (ha!), I offered to make some goodies to help take the load off of her shoulders.

Well... I found this recipe for PECAN PRALINE COOKIES in my Great American Cookie Cookbook. I'd never made them before, so I was just kind of winging it... but come on... pecan praline? How could they not be good!?

After tasting one (OK, 2...), I just had to share the recipe with you! It's a really easy recipe to whip up and delightfully tasty! A simple cookie that has a little class... because the taste is amazing!

So... here ya go! If you try them, you'll have to let me know what you think!

Pecan Praline Cookies

Ingredients:

3/4 cup Butter Flavor Shortening
(I just used a generic brand w/out butter flavor because it's all I had!)
1 1/2 cups Firmly Packed Brown Sugar
1 Egg
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 1/2 cups All-purpose Flour
1 cup Chopped Pecans

Directions:

Heat oven to 375 degrees.
Grease baking sheet with shortening.
Place sheets of foil on counter top for cooling cookies.

Combine 3/4 c. shortening and brown sugar in large bowl.
Beat at Med. speed with an electric mixer until creamy.
Beat in egg and vanilla.
Beat until light and fluffy.
Add flour and pecans.
Stir until well blended.


Shape level measuring Tablespoons of dough into balls.
Flatten to 1/8" thickness.
Place 1" apart on prepared baking sheet.


Bake for 7-8 mins or until edges are golden brown.
Do not overbake!
Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes.
(Trust me, you want to do that part!)
Remove cookies to foil to cool completely.


ENJOY!!

PS: My husband cheated and voted for BOY in the poll on my sidebar, even though he truly thinks we'll be having a girl! haha!

Also, today is another appointment, this time with my actual doctor... dreading... but hoping all goes smoothly! This will be the first I've seen her since her rude comments back in September.
Wish me luck!