The nursery

Well, it's finally finished! I still have a few minor details I would like to tend to but may not get around to!!

The paintings above the crib were done by our friend Lauren Jones. They are scenes pulled from the toile in the bedding. I think they look so good. She did a third painting that is above the glider but I don't think I got a picture of it.The hutch is filled with things from Matt's childhood and my childhood. And plenty of books to make sure that Banks is a brainy!!

The pictures don't really do the room justice. I think it's perfect! It's so cozy and warm and I think Banks will never cry in there because he likes it so much! My doctor made the BIG mistake today and told me that she didn't think I would make it to my appointment next week so now we're on high alert for baby! I'm predicting that he'll come Sunday. My mom is convinced he'll come Thursday. Watch. I'll probably still be pregnant forever from now.

Dis n Dat

First off, the air is broken at work. It has been broken for a week now. I am currently sitting at my computer with two HUGE fans blowing directly on me and I'm still sweating. It sounds like a jet engine is taking off in here. Perhaps this is the start of my weight loss plan???

Speaking of weight...I am now going to the doctor every week. I went Tuesday and had an ultrasound done to check on sweet (except when he's working on cracking my ribs) Banks. Everything looked great! He's so big compared to when we last saw him and he's pretty jam packed in there. Anyway, the ultrasound estimated his weight to be SEVEN POUNDS FOUR OUNCES. Gasp. That's right...7.4 and he's got a month to go. Dude is going to be 10 pounds by the time he gets here. The first thing my doctor said to me was "we do have the right due date don't we?" Lovely. Then she tells me to get to walking and to hope he comes early. Perfect. No air at work, freaking 100 degrees outside, and walking is what the doctor orders. I'll get right on that. Here I am at 35 weeks and no makeup (why am I putting this on here???):

Matt is beside himself. It's as though he thinks he's done something special to "grow" this baby giant. He's so proud. Granted, he contributed, but I'm pretty sure I've done the majority of this thing on my own. I also think that Matt doesn't understand that this baby giant has to come out at some point (sooner than later we hope). Perhaps he's forgotten the lesson on pain he learned during our childbirthing class??

On a different note, my coworkers recently gave me a baby shower and it was lovely! The food was great and they had the cutest cake with Banks' monogram on it. We got some great things and for the most part we're ready for the baby giant to get here! I did a terrible job of taking pictures so I don't really have any to post!

My best friend at work Caroline and me

I'm putting the final touches on the nursery this weekend and I hope to post pictures of it soon!

We are officially prepared (but not really)

Saturday Matt and I took a Prepared Childbirth class. It was like an eight hour, learn-everything-you-need-to-know-about-how-to-have-a-baby-and-raise-a-child crash course. I think we might know everything now, no doubt about it. There are also some things I wish I didn't know. For example, like the color of panties the girl across the room from me was wearing. Now, I realize that she was 37 weeks pregnant, misearable, and really ready for her baby to get here but that does not excuse her from flashing her crotch to me and the rest of the class repeatedly. Also, I think I could have gone the rest of my life without seeing the birth of a baby. It's just not normal what goes on "down there." Nuf said.

Matt came away from the class with one profound piece of information: I will be in pain. I was shocked that this was what he learned in the class. Seriously, how did he not know this beforehand? I'm fairly certain he thought I would get drugs before any twinge of pain ran across my body. Let's hope this is the case. That brings me to my next topic...

You know how before you do something you imagine how it will go? Since I have been pregnant I have called myself living in La La Land. It is a magical little place where I too think I'll have no pain, gain a ridiculously small amount of weight that will melt off immediately after birth, and have a baby that doesn't do all those annoying things other babies do. Like cry or pitch hissy fits. It's like I live in this magical place thinking no bad will happen, to me at least. It's ok for it to happen to other people. Well, let me tell you, five minutes into the birthing video, all my hopes and dreams came crashing down. La La Land has officially been closed. I am working to accept the reality of what lies ahead although I think one can never really be prepared for parenthood despite all the books, classes or advice one receives on the subject.

So with 7 weeks to go I am joining the real world. And it's a hot one. Which reminds me, that statement I made several posts ago about enjoying the weather when the temperature begins with a 9? I'd like to retract that.

Baby shower

Two weekends ago my friends from college gave me a baby shower. We had it at Erin's house and it was absolutely beautiful! They really put so much thought into all the details. The invitation had birds on it and so throughout Erin's house there were little birds nests and Wolfe birds. These picture don't do it justice because I had to scan them and then upload them. They gave me the beautiful frame with the invitation in it.

The food was so good and Erin's house is perfect for a shower! She and her husband have done so much work to their home and I love all that they have done!
These are my wonderful friends: Page, Kathleen, Dawn, me (and big Banks), Erin, Lindsay, and Shelley. Beth, Kate and Emily weren't able to make it...I missed you guys!!

Friends from Memphis: Jenny, Melissa, Whitney, me, Crystal, Lindsey

This guy...

...is SUPER excited because at his latest Biggest Loser weigh-in he lost 2.2 pounds!!! If you're keeping up that's a total of 3.2 pounds. We're really proud of the .2. For the most part, we only see the guy sleep so we're thinking that he's been running wind sprints while we sleep.

Summertime

I absolutely love the summer. I'm truly happy when the temperature outside begins with the number 8 or 9 (I know, call me crazy). There are several reasons I love summertime:

• Jerry's Sno-Cones: If you live in Memphis and haven't had one of these then you are truly missing out. There is something special about these sno-cones that you just can't get at any ole sno-cone stand. Matt suggests that you try out the "supreme" which is a sno-cone with a swirl of soft serve ice cream in the middle. Sounds strange but it's lovely.


• The pool


• Fresh veggies from the farmers market


• Tomato tart: It's really simple and I never use exact measurements. All you need is one ready made pie shell, one 8 oz bag of mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, fresh basil, salt, pepper and olive oil. First slice your tomatoes very thin and place them on a paper towel to drain. Dump the mozzarella in the pie shell. Layer the tomatoes on top. Chop or tear a good amount of basil (you can never have too much) and sprinkle over the tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle the whole tart with olive oil. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. This thing is dee-licious...especially with homegrown tomatoes and fresh basil!


• Fun sundresses


• The ice cream man: I'm not scared to chase his van down the street if I can't get my money together fast enough. Also, anyone else noticed how ridiculous the prices are for a Popsicle these days???


• Cookouts in the back yard: I just love our back yard. Really there's nothing too special about it but I love sitting out on the patio, having a glass of wine (when I'm not pregnant) and catching up on my US Weekly while Matt grills us something yummy.


• Fresh herbs from my herb garden


• Bathing the dog outside


• Trips to the beach
• And...another GREAT reason for loving this summer is that Banks will be here in 10 short weeks! Here's a little teaser for what's been going on at our house lately...

There are a few downsides to the summer heat:

• MOSQUITOES: I hate mosquitoes but they love me. It's just a terrible relationship. I wish they would go away forever. I can't see that they really serve a purpose at all...


• Hot leather seats in the car


• Excessive yard watering (all while the mosquitoes feast on me)


• Sunburn and subsequent peeling which leaves you looking like you're diseased or something

Our first baby shower!

We had our first baby shower Saturday and it was so much fun! Everything was perfect. There were so many fun details...pictures of Matt and me when we were babies and some of our baby items were on display all over the house. Clint and Jeri Anne had the shower at their house and it was wonderful! We were outside mostly and they had tables set up in their yard with lights and lanterns all in the trees! Best of all was that we had Mexican food and they had a margarita machine (I really wanted one of those!). Banks got some really great things. We are so thankful and feel so lucky to have such great friends!! Here are a few pictures from the night:

Jeri Anne, Emeri, me, Libby

Matt Still, Matt Hutsell, Mark, Matt Austin, John

Matt, Gram (my mom), me, Mimi (Matt's mom)

Matt and me

Fun story: these are two of my best friends from home. Molly (on the left) is due two weeks behind me and is having a little boy, Charlie. Sarah, on my right, is due one week behind me and is having a little girl. It has been SO fun being pregnant at the same time. We call each other all the time to ask questions and compare/contrast stories! I can't wait for their little babies to get here too!!!