Under 7 Weeks Until Life Changes Forever!

It's sometimes hard for me to grasp that in a little over 7 weeks (give or take) that Aaron and I will be parents! We are so excited, but I would be lying if I say I'm not really nervous. It's not so much that I worry I won't know what I'm doing, it's more about the total life change that's going to happen. I know there's no total preperation for parenthood, but I'm comfortable with the idea of caring for a baby (if millions of idiots out there can raise a kid, I think I can too). What gets me a little anxious is that I know the days of "Amber time" are over. I've always been used to being able to have time to myself, and I cherish my alone time. I liked living alone when I was single, I made sure to make time for just me, and it kept me refreshed. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about Ayden coming and losing that alone time. It will just be very different.

Work is getting crazy busy. Between juggling my regular duties, the new strategies we are doing this year, and preparing an organized plan for the person covering me while I'm out... it's overwhelming. I just hope I can get everything completed in time. I was in a training for the past 2 days and when those trainings are really good, it always pumps me up to implement new ideas or start a new project. Today there are tons of ideas I have for my job but I have to remember that I can't really do any of them until I get back. I will welcome the break from work, but it will be kind of wierd. I don't even want to think about how hard it's going to be that 1st day back at work when I have to take Ayden to daycare.

Speaking of daycare, we are back to square one. The girl I was planning to have take Ayden during the week is moving to Florida where she's from. I did a lot of digging for home daycares (I like the idea of a comfortable home environment when she's that young), but 95% of them were full and the others were just not any good. Now we are looking at the more traditional daycares and learning centers, but geez, they can be expensive! We are goign tomorrow to look at one just down the street from our house. I really hope this one is good because it's so conveniently located and it has a good weekly rate. If not, there are only 2 others that fit in our price range. It's so stressful when we don't know anyone to recommend a good place that we can afford. But, I am trying to be positive and remember that it will work out how it should. Moms have said I'll know when I look at a place whether it's the right one. I wish I could use the center Kevin will be taking Kayla to, but he's got a lot more flexibility on the $$ side.

We are finally painting and setting up the nursery this weekend. I'm really excited! I've even had dreams about it the last few nice, haha. Once we get done with the last baby shower in Atlanta, I'll have an idea of what we have left to buy. By the way, whoever came up with Baby Showers is a genious. I can't imagine buying everything needed for a baby on our own. I am so blessed to have such wonderful and giving friends, family, and co-workers. I love you all!!

So, I had my 1st experience of Braxton Hicks contactions last weekend. At first I thought it was just in my head becuase I had just read about them in my pregnancy book. But once I noticed the pressure I was feeling came every 4-5 minutes, I knew it had to be real. After 4 of them I started to time them and then they just stopped. I am going to bring it up at my next check-up just make sure it's not anything to worry about.

Charlotte Baby Shower

My sister, Nina, and friends, Katey and Megan, threw me a baby shower here in Charlotte last weekend. This shower was kind of the "friend" shower since my in-laws are throwing a shower with our family members in a couple of weeks. The girls did such a great job on everything. The invitations were adorable, the decorations were cute, and it was a great time. I got a lot of items we were in need of. And the big plus was we got a lot of diapers! You can never have too many of those bad boys! It was fun to see friends I don't get to see often anymore and visit with everyone. We held the shower at my house since most of my friends haven't seen it yet and it was a good chance to have everyone visit the new place.

 

 

Aaron was out of town during the shower at a bachelor weekend in Georgia. His good friend, Kenny, is getting married in mid-March (unfortunately, I won't be attending since it's a 9 hour drive). Instead of the typical bar hopping, stripper dancing, Hangover movie style party, they opted for a hunting weekend. Aaron said he had a great time. I know he misses his "crew" boys a lot and I'm happy when he gets to see them.

So, I'm almost 33 weeks now. I was going over all the things we've got going on nearly every weekend until my due date and it seems like it's going to come so fast. But, the Dr. says the last month will drag on. I'm starting to feel so unprepared. We haven't had enough time to set up the nursery yet and actually had to schedule that into our calendar for the last weekend in February. Also, I'm so anxious to make sure we have everything we need and I can't really check everything off the list until after the last baby shower which isn't until March 10th. It kind of worries me that I'm going to be frantic those last few weeks because I'll only have 4 weeks after my last shower to make sure everything is in place. I don't think I'll get much of that "nesting" period. There just won't be time!

Either way, I know it will all be fine and work out. And hey, if we don't have every single item or the nursery isn't set up when she comes, she'll be sleeping with us the first few weeks anyway. This is what I'm telling myself to say calm :)

Utah Visit and Baby Shower

I've been back from Utah for a couple of weeks now, but I'm just getting around to updating this blog. My sister, Nina, and I flew to Utah a few weeks ago for 5 days. It was great to be able to visit since I can probably gaurantee I won't be back for a year at least.

My sister-in-law, Dhari, and my Mom threw my a baby shower while I was there. It was so great to see all of my friends, some that I haven't seen in a couple of years. My Grandma and my Aunt also came. I haven't seen my Aunt Julie since my brother's wedding almost 3 years ago. Channy (my youngest sis) made me a really cute diaper cake and I got so much cute stuff! Becuase I had to be able to fit my gifts in a suitcase, most of the gifts were clothes, blankets, and gift cards. Those gift cards got us the crib! Luckily, I was able to fit everything in the huge suitcase I brought and the duffle bag Dhari loaned me. I guess $60 in checked baggage is cheaper than shipping fees :)

 It was also my Stepdad's, Marc, birthday while I was there. We spent most of the weekend at my Mom's hanging out with family and a few close friends.

Kristina (23 weeks), Me (29 weeks), and Linsday (24 weeks)



Nina, Chantele, Dhari

My older Bro, LJ and little man, Hawkins

My Bro, Bryce and neices Kairi & Alexis