Worn out

I am just exhausted. Emotionally and physically. Pregnancy + moving + instability of military life are really not a good combination. The whole process has just worn on me. And on top of it all, Paul has been on off and on 12 hour shifts through everything. They are always last minute so plans get cancelled all the time, Paul can't help with anything, and I'm alone. This has just not been good timing for his work schedule, but there is nothing that can be done. At all. Paul is tired most of the time so if I ask him to do anything, he snaps at me. He's grouchy and doesn't need me to worry about while work is so back and forth. So...I will be going home on Saturday for a few days. This is one of those times where I just need to step back and let him have his space to do what he needs to do. Right now, that is work, eat and sleep. Not worry about a pregnant wife who needs him for certain things around the house. Plus, it will be the last time I can really do any traveling by myself.

I really feel like I could sleep forever right now. I have done so much running around the past few days and this week has flown by because of it. Of course, a lot of it has been buying various random baby things: clothes, headbands, wipe warmer, etc. On top of cooking, cleaning, unpacking...all that other stuff. Tomorrow will be really busy as well, especially if I plan on leaving Saturday morning.

Well, I'm going to lay down and try to relax before I need to make dinner. I'll update again when things slow down a little.

Eventful.

Today has been really good. Much, much better than yesterday. Yesterday I was having an "I hate being pregnant" day. Some days it's just a big strain and makes it hard to do anything. I'm not saying I wish I wasn't pregnant, because I wouldn't trade being able to have a child of my own for the world. It's such a wonderful gift. But pregnancy itself can get cumbersome and frustrating. One word: back pain. Oops! That's two words...I try to do anything that requires being on my feet and my back is killing me in no time. It sucks. But I digress...

Today Paul and I got our apartment the rest of the way cleaned out and we are DONE with that place. We wrote the leasing office a check to break the lease, turned in the keys and walked out. It was SUCH a relief walking out of there knowing that we are permanently (well, as permanent as military life is) in a bigger house that has room to grow. I'm so thankful. Now I have to go about finishing up my house and get it all set up.

This might be tmi, but I'm really excited about it so I have to share. I am getting a really awesome nursing pillow! It's one that Michelle Duggar uses and swears by. I found it on Craigslist, brand new/never used for only $15. It's called My Brest Friend. lol! I'm getting it on Friday :-) Then on Satuday, we are getting our baby swing. Woohoo!! Almost totally prepared for miss Audrey. We're getting our changing table at the beginning of April. The only big thing we still need is a high chair, but those aren't too expensive. I'm not worried about it. There are a few things I want...like a moby wrap, a girly play mat, and more cute clothes :-) We are setting up the crib/nursery this weekend! I hope. That's a goal of mine.

Next weekend is my birthday and Paul told me I had to do something that was solely for myself. Not getting any baby things or anything related to the baby. At first, I was mad...but then I realized it is my last birthday not being "Mom" so I might as well enjoy being able to indulge in something. So I decided on a 1 hour pregnancy massage, haircut and style, 1 hour customized facial, and a pedicure! It's a great deal: $165 for everything. I'm excited.

Today is my doggies' first birthday! Yay. My pups are all grown. Love them.

Good day :-)

Finally somewhat settled.

Well, we are in our new home and we love it! It's so spacious and there's basically too much room. It's a good problem to have, though! Today I was really feeling the need to deal with al the boxes sitting around here. Our friends Kelsey and Alan came over to help us get situated. Well...mainly Paul and Alan because Kels and I can't lift heavy stuff. They got all that dealt with and the boxes put away. Then, since Paul's car is still inoperable, they offered their Durango to help us get the glider and ottoman we wanted from off of craigslist. We are SO SO SO thankful for them. We went to see the glider and it ended up being perfect, so we bought it and loaded it up to bring back. After working for several hours, everyone was getting pretty hungry so I took a shower (I was nasty and sweaty) and off we went to Chili's. I just LOVE our friends. We always have things to talk about and we always have fun together. I'm so glad they are right across the street now so we can just see each other any time we want. LIFE IS GOOOOD.

Anyways, I now can check another thing off my list of things to get for the baby/nursery. I am in love with my glider. It's so comfortable and I am going to love rocking Audrey in it. It's perfect and even better that it's a similar shade of wood as the crib. I'm super excited. Things are really falling into place now! Audrey will be here before we know it and I will actually feel mostly prepared.

My house is awesome, my dogs love it here, I love it here....Paul loves it here. We have neighbors who are some of our best friends here and we have more space than we need for our growing family! It doesn't get better than this.

Taking stock!

So as I get further along, I get anxious to get completely prepared for Audrey. As soon as I found out it was a girl, I started buying. I've been stocking up on alot of the small stuff lately. I do it gradually because this stuff really adds up in cost! You'd be surprised. So I just wanted to take a minute and count out the things that I do have to figure out what I no longer need. This could be a long list...and it's going to be very unorganized. Bear with me.

I have:

3 crib sheets (probably need about 2 more sets)

9 swaddling blankets...4 of them aren't so good because I really didn't know what was good for swaddling when I bought them.

16 pairs of booties

4 newborn caps

11 bibs

14 washcloths

1 baby blanket

8 burp cloths

4 towels

1 robe

4 pacifiers

9 bottles

2 desitin creams

2 bottles of mylicon gas drops

1 thermometer and 1 syringe

1 baby monitor

1 breast pump with all the accessories

360 diapers and a bunch of wipes

clothes (still need more of those in various sizes)

2 travel diaper changing pads

1 bottle drying rack with bottle cleaning brush

1 baby bather

2 baby carriers

1 bouncy seat

A pack and play

A travel system

A crib with mattress

Bedding set

1 bumbo seat

So...it seems that we are REALLY prepared for me only being 24.5 weeks pregnant. It makes me feel a whole heck of a lot better knowing there's not too much we have left to go out and buy. What do we still need?

Clothes in various sizes. We have a good start to a collection of clothes in each size.

Pajamas!!! We need 0-3 month pjs and bigger.

Swing

Changing table

Glider

Playmat

baby shampoo and soap

more hooded towels

moby wrap

mattress pads

changing table pad

I think that's about it! I am getting so excited about seeing my daughter, nursing her, holding her, changing her diapers, putting her to sleep, and taking care of her in general! And I am so thankful for all the people who have helped out in buying stuff she will need so far! We are blessed beyond belief. Thank you!

A moment of peace (kind of)

Things were kinda crazy and hectic today, but I love it. We had to make more visits to people while we were in town. On our way out, I checked the mail and there was a card with ANOTHER gift card in it. I'm really flabbergasted at the outpouring of love for our baby. It's waaaaaay more than I ever expected. Paul and I first went to my Dad's office to visit old co-workers and catch up. Once again, I was very overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity. They had a card there waiting for me with quite a bit of money in it. God is just so so so good!! I will be able to get my breast pump with the cash and still have a good amount of money left in gift cards. Yes!!! I am excited to get home, get moved and settled so I can really start nesting and finish up these purchases. It's so exciting. I'm going to have a lot of fun buying each and everything. There is just so much out there in terms of baby products.

Anyways, Paul and I also went to see his Dad and chat some more. We had lunch at Chop House with them yesterday, but we wanted to go visit more. It was nice. We did some shopping for my Mom for dinner groceries. I even loved doing that just because it meant I'm home! lol. This has been an AMAZING trip. So much better than I could have ever imagined and I just love that I am going back home to Shreveport feeling a bit more prepared for what is to come this summer. I just love my daughter so much already. She is so amazing and I haven't even laid eyes on her yet. Tonight, my Mom made beef stew and it was so delicous!! What I have been wanting for a very long time. Tomorrow, our great friends are coming over for dinner and it's sure to be a fun time. I don't want to go back to S'port...but we must eventually. Yuck!

Well, getting off here to enjoy more family time!

So blessed

This is going to be short since I am SO tired and we have alot to do tomorrow. I just wanted to say how grateful I am to all the amazing people showing so much love to baby Audrey while we have been home. It seems like everyday has another little surprise waiting. Today's surprise was another gift card from a lady at my Dad's office. So sweet! It is the greatest feeling in the world knowing we will be able to be as ready as possible for our bundle of joy. Two other people have contacted us about having things to give us for the baby. One is actually being sent here to my Mom's house and should be here tomorrow or Friday and the other one is being sent to our apartment at home. Between all these gift cards and gifts, Audrey will be set. There's a few things that I want to buy and will be buying along the way, but the specific needs are all met: Clothes, diapers (for the first 1.5-2 months), pack n play, crib, crib mattress, nursery decoration and bedding, bathing stuff, blankets, pacifiers, bibs, burp cloths....and the list goes on. Of course, we could still use more stuff like that! Can't really have too much of diapers and other little stuff. We're doing pretty good for still having 3.5 months left. I've been starting on buying clothes for 6 months and on. Paul and I got some cute stuff last night! I'm just so excited for our baby. Other big purchases we have to make will be a glider (rocker), changing table (getting that from my Mom, though), baby swing...probably getting that from Paul's co-worker if we don't get one new. It would be free. I think that's it. There's so many conveniences for babies, it's hard to keep it straight what is needed. I get it all jumbled in my mind alot. I am just so thankful for friends who care so much to help us prepare for Audrey. It makes me one happy mama! I'm gonna blog more later. We have a busy day tomorrow!

Mom forces me to...

Today was a first. My mother actually had to force me to pick out some maternity clothes. I was so baby-minded that I didn't even want to think about buying anything for myself...

So anyways, today was mostly relaxing. We didn't really do anything till this evening, which was fine with me. We went to target and I returned something. Then I found a bumbo seat!! I knew I wanted one, but didn't know which store to find one at. I saw it at target and decided to buy it. Another thing crossed off my must have baby list. Mom bought some swaddling blankets for Audrey so that we would be more prepared in that department. Then we went to the mall to do some more shopping. I picked out two baby outfits (like we don't have enough already, lol)...and Mom forced me to do some maternity clothes shopping. I was tired and ready to be done shopping, but I'm actually glad she did because I do need some clothes that I can feel good about. My clothes are definitely getting tight and it's only going to get worse. So now I have some stuff with room to grow.

Well I'm exhausted and we have our little getaway starting tomorrow so I need to get some sleep. Update more later!

Baby shower goodness!

My baby shower was today and it was so, so amazing. Way better than I could have ever expected. We had a GREAT turnout in terms of people who came and also in the great gifts we got for baby girl!! My Mom seriously did an amazing job putting it together and setting everything up. She had cake and food all planned and all that goodness. In terms of gifts, it was better than expected. I figured it would just be clothes and diapers probably, but I was wrong. We did get TONS of clothes and lots of diapers, but we also got some baby gear! How great! We got a baby carrier, baby sling, bouncy seat (I have been talking about getting one for a long time!!), baby bather, blankets, washcloths, towels, a SUPER CUTE robe for Audrey, monogrammed burp cloths, booties, bottle cleaning set, gift card, diaper bag, hangers, and diapers and wipes. SHEW! Lots of stuff! I have been on cloud 9 all night because I just feel so much better and much more prepared. I absolutely loved seeing all my friends and family from home and getting to catch up. What a great start to a great week. We are so blessed and so appreciative of everything we have received. God is so good and He ALWAYS provides. Praise Him.

This week, Mom and I will be doing some shopping. I have to return a nursery set that I ordered online. I accidentally ordered two. Annnd I will probably be using that money on some other things for Audrey. Fun times! Now, I am exhausted and need some sleep.

Waiting to go home...

Right now I am waiting for Paul to get home. As soon as he gets home, we are loading up our stuff and heading home!! We decided to split the trip into two days to make it easier. 6 hours tonight and 6 hours tomorrow. We should be home by early afternoon tomorrow. Mom said there are surprises for me and Audrey when I get home and I am so excited. Mom and I are going to get a changing table as well, hopefully. I am so ready to see what I get at my baby shower and from family, etc...mainly so that I can know what else we need and plan for that financially. It is KILLING me to not buy anything. I've been on this buying hiatus for what seems like forever, so I am anxious for it to be over. lol. I guess but Sunday night it will be over and I can resume buying things for my baby. Yaaaaay! Right now, I am basically twiddling my thumbs until Paul gives me the notice that he's on his way home. Ok, so here's what we have planned for our trip home:

1. Lots of baby talk

2. Lots of baby shopping

3. Baby shower

4. Paul and I's 2 night stay in Sevierville

5. Seeing Paul's family and dinner with them

6. Lots of Momma's cooking!!!

7. dinner at our favorite spots in town

8. Hanging out with my family alot!

Seems like alot of food and baby. lol! But since I live so far away from them, this is really the first time (and only time until I go into labor) we will have the chance to do these kinds of things. I miss my Mommy and have been wanting to do this fun stuff with them. I have a feeling that our car will be CRAMMED full on our way back with baby stuff. lol. I can't wait. I'm hungry and I want to get on the road now! Next stop is Alabama for some sleep. Then Tennessee after that! Woohoo.

For my own purposes:

I was sitting here trying to figure out what we still need for Audrey and I figured a list would be the best. I KNOW that really, all she needs is me, clean diapers, food (me), a place to sleep and clothes/blankets to stay warm....That's really not alot, but of course there's stuff everyone wants for their baby. Just so I can keep myself straight for what we still want, here is my list:

1. Diapers and wipes- they are a must!

2. Clothes- newborn and up

3. Changing table- Mom and I will be going to get one while I'm home.

4. Swing

5. Bouncy seat

6. bouncer/jumper--the type that they use after they start holding their heads up

7. play mat

8. breast pump

9. bottles etc...

10. burp clothes, bibs, blankets, towels, all those little accessories.

11. A glider/rocker

12. A diaper bag (preferrably Vera Bradley Folkloric baby bag)

I know I'm forgetting things, but that's the basic things that are must haves to me :-)

Jump for joy!

I will be home in 4 days! FOUR DAYS. I am just beyond excited for this time at home. Not only because I will get to see my family, but also because I will get to see most of my friends and family friends! My baby shower is on Sunday and I am super excited. I am so blessed by the people who have already been buying stuff for Audrey. I'm getting more questions about colors and such we are using and where we are registered. I am so glad people enjoy shopping for babies, because every little bit helps. My hope is to come back to Louisiana feeling much more prepared and relaxed about having a baby and finances that come with that. Knowing me and my Mom, that will probably be the case. We love to shop, even more so when it comes to my baby. I'm sure that after our baby shower, mom and I will go shopping for more stuff :-) Such a fun week next week will be!

People at my Dad's office who can't come to the shower have already bought gifts. That is just soooo sweet :-) Anyways, things are slowly coming together. Ever so slowly. I'm so ready to be home with my family!!!