Getting Ready for Baby!

We are getting anxious for the baby. Tonight is our last birthing class. We learn how to breathe and relax tonight. We have pre-registered for the hospital. We have also installed a new closet system in the nursery to organize all of our baby stuff. Who would believe all the stuff that comes with the baby?

We bought a bassinet yesterday, so the baby can sleep in our room for the first month or two without the dogs licking him.

We also bought a changing pad for the changing table, it's too big. Who would have known that you needed to measure for that..... I will be returning that for something a bit more appropriate. This is the changing table - no pad. Thank you IKEA for making everything in a crazy size.




We still have to figure out how to install the car seat. We bought 2 bases so we can just move the car seat from car to car without too much hassle. We will also be creating the birth plan this week. I guess that is the thing to do now is make a plan, write it down and give one to the doctor, the labor nurse and the coach. It details anything that you want to happen - epidural, who cuts the cord and so on. We definitely don't want to forget this, we might not remember what we want in the heat of delivery!

Gosh, there is a lot to remember!

6 weeks to go!

Well the countdown has begun! We have 6 weeks to go until the due date! Of course at work, I will be very busy up until then. I have decided that I will be working up until I go into labor. This is so I can maximize the maternity leave. My mom is coming to town February 9, so if I don't have the baby on the due date (most likely I won't) then She could be here for the birth!

We went on the hospital tour last weekend. It turns out that after you have the baby, we get to order room service! That's pretty great. The baby also stays with you the whole time in your room. They don't go away to a nursery. So that's pretty great. We also have been going to our birthing classes. This week we learned about Epidurals and C-sections. Next week is our last class and that one focuses on breathing, relaxation and birthing positions. Should be pretty interesting.

This is a picture from a friend's holiday party that we went to last night. There was a white elephant gift exchange too. We got a basket of snacks.



As you can see, there are limited holiday outfits for a bargain for the pregnant ladies. So I just added some sparkles and wore a dress a wear to work. I know, I am pretty fancy.

Well, Merry Christmas to all!

First Red Sox Outfit

Well Caden now has his first Red Sox outfit. Thank you Emily! Just thought we could show it off.



It's fun getting ready for the baby. The clothes are so tiny and cute. We have lots of the 3 - 6 month size. Our baby will be very well dressed! We even bought a pack of diapers. In our baby class they told us that we will go through about 7 - 8 diapers each day. That means we have enough diapers for about 2 1/2 weeks. After that, Caden may grow to the next bigger size. They also told us about the explosive diapers and not to stock up too much on a size since they change so much.

6 weeks and counting!

Christmas Decorations

We are working on the Christmas spirit in our house. We hung up the outside lights just days after Thanksgiving. Only a few bulbs were burned out from last year. The lollipop lights from last year are having trouble staying upright, but it's finally coming together. It's kind of the Griswalds meet Charlie Brown.

The christmas tree is up now, with lights and 2 ornaments. We just have to add some additional ornaments and we will be good to go. Being pregnant takes all the energy out of me, so I find myself creating lots of projects for Justin. Possibly more projects than are possible to complete in 1 day. But isn't that what the honey do list is for?

Family Visit

We had a very exciting 2 weeks in November. First my family was here. We went to the WSU ASU game. The Cougars were not up to par. It was a devastating loss. It was definitely a sad day for the Cougar fans, but still fun. Even Charlie was dressed in his best Cougar Onsie for the day. The next day we went to Rawhide, the western town. It was not exactly what I expected, but now I can say I have been there. They had a gunfight show that we went to watch, and then they had things to do. Vanessa and Matt & Charlie each had a camel ride. Jeannette and Vanessa both climbed the rock wall. Vanessa actually made it to the top and she had on flipflops. It was pretty impressive.

All in all it was a good family weekend and we had great weather.

Baby names

So after lots of thought and options, we have finally selected a name for Baby boy Finnegan.

We searched the internet, made a list, hung it on the fridge and have picked our favorite.

Baby Boy Finnegan's name will be Caden Jacob Finnegan.

Baby shower

This Last week we had my baby shower with everyone from work and some local friends. My mom, Aunt Ginger and Janet (justin's mom) all made the trip too. Here are some photos for you to preview. This is what 7 months pregnant looks like too. We got some great gifts for our little baby boy. Only 11 weeks to go and I can hardly wait.







As you can see in the last picture, the belly is getting bigger. I cannot bend over very well anymore and I cannot squeeze through any tight places. You cannot suck it in, in case you were wondering.

The baby is also very active these days. I think he was doing somersaults yesterday. :)

Halloween in Phoenix

We had another exciting Halloween in Phoenix. We set-up our lawn chairs in the driveway and handed out candy. It was a balmy 65 in the evening. We saw some pretty cool costumes. The best trick or treaters were the 2 brothers who were about 3 & 5 and traveled around the neighborhood in their little hummer electric car. They jumped out and got candy and then jumped back in and hit the high gear to keep rolling to the next house. It was pretty comical.

We also had some kids that weren't in costume. That is pretty annoying. I think the other annoying one is the baby in the stroller that the parent is getting the baby candy. We all know that the candy is for the parent and not the baby. It's even worse if the parent didn't even dress up.

We went through 5 bags of candy. That's a lot of trick or treaters.

Weekend update

This weekend I spent some time getting our house ready for the big weekend. What's the big weekend? That is when both my family and Justin's family are all coming to Phoenix in November. My family is coming for the WSU game and Justin's family is coming for a Thanksgiving visit.

We are very excited to have everyone here at once. I have some fall decorations out (our scarecrow) and I bought some supplies for little Charlie (wipes and baby wash). I also made our guest beds and have started deep cleaning.

I know that you want to see our little nursery. Well, here it is.

I coordinated to match the nursery. :) You can see my baby bump in this picture. I guess that I don't look as huge as I feel. We are looking for Frog Wallies to decorate the walls, we don't want to stencil since that would be more work when we move someday.

Another thing that happened this weekend was the hot air balloon festival. We had the Wendy's hot air ballon fly over our house. You can also see our cactus in this picture.

The balloons made the dogs go nuts. I heard on the radio it's the sound of the hot air that makes a high pitched noise only the dogs can hear.

Speaking of our dogs, they are Piper

and Rocky

They can be mellow when they want to be:

Notice the dog bed under the table, they prefer to each sit in a chair, sometimes they sit in the same chair together.

We are working on training them, this is "let me take your picture"

They each are about 16 pounds and are a lot of fun. Rocky is a jumper, he can jump about 4 feet in the air. Piper likes to sit on your lap. Rocky will lick your face if you let him.

The picture above also shows our new dining room floor. Justin installed the floor a few weeks ago. Pretty nice.

Football gear

Well It's football season and once again, we are cheering for our favorites. I support the Seahawks, Justin the Patriots. He still cheers for the Seahawks, but wears the Patriots jersey. We got these jerseys so we could be true super fans!

We are not sure what team baby finnegan will be routing for, but I am sure that he will like football.

On a side note, Jeannette - I figured out how to upload the photos! I am pretty proud. :)

Life being pregnant

I know I haven't been giving updates to everyone, so I will give everyone an update all at once.
Being pregnant so far has been good to me. I didn't get sick in the first trimester, just felt nauseous a lot. The good news is, the doctor said I could take dramamine. So whenever I didn't feel good, I would just take one of those. It helped alot.

Now it's the second trimester and things are different. I am at 25 weeks right now. That is 6 months pregnant. The last week my belly has gotten huge. In fact, at the end of the day it feels like I did some sit-ups, but we know that's not true. The other thing that has happened is some of the maternity clothes don't fit now, I am too busty. It's a shame.

Speaking of Busty - I had to Order a maternity bra online - they don't carry them this big in the store. That is out of control. I won't mention the size, but I think I passed Meegan. :)

For the most part, I haven't had any big issues being pregnant. I have learned that heartburn is a way of life and the fruit flavored tums are a lifesaver. Another ache is my back. I asked the doctor about it, and she said "Welcome to Pregnancy." She suggested I get a massage. It was relaxing, but the back still hurts. I guess there is not a miracle cure.

We have decorated the nursery with Green and Frogs. Justin put the crib together and we ordered a rocking chair. It's really coming together.
I have also got a bit of a pregnancy waddle. Someone at work said that seeing me waddle makes them feel pregnant. I am sure I am quite a site. :)

3 1/2 months to go and then our little baby will be here. We can't wait to meet him.