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Thursday, April 30, 2009

Still Not Really Counting

Welcome to my 33rd week of pregnancy! Seriously, I forget what week I'm in. I have to look at the weekly email I get saying "Pregnancy: Week XX" just so I remember. I'm close most of the time. I'm excited but mostly stressed out that in possibly 7 weeks (or EARLIER!) this baby will be here.

Not too shabby for 33 weeks, eh?


My butt isn't really shaped like that. It probably didn't help that I used it as a shelf for my arms.


Remember this photo at 24 weeks?:



So ya, the baby moved into the "all fo sho" part. The belly is all baby now. Biology is weird!

We're slowly crossing things off the "must get done before baby" list. But even then, we won't get to everything. And I'm fine with that. Today is the last day the hardwood floor guys are around, applying the last few coats. And let me say, I've never gotten so excited over hardwood floors. EVER. They are beautiful! This is just one small step to liking my dumpy new house a wee bit more.

Justin asked why we didn't do it sooner. Cause we're dumb, that's why. Seriously, I can't wait to move back into our bedroom and get the baby's room set up with beautiful hardwood floors! I'd show pictures, but I want it to be a big reveal because they were beat-the-crap up. Even so, beat up hardwood floors looked better than the hideously green, piss-smelling carpet that was there. And no, I didn't let anything of ours touch that piss-smelling carpet. We pulled it up before we even moved in.

Completely unrelated, but Justin and I are dealing with it now, spring in Minnesota. Minnesota weather, you are seriously f'd up.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Oh Please

I'd expect to see something like this in Utah. Justin and I were accused of stupid stuff that was totally inaccurate, judgmental, and discriminatory but within an organization, not a neighborhood. I can't imagine having to deal with this stuff on your own street.

Of course, I'm sure there's another side to this story, but when the press show up and you want people to maybe understand why you did it, don't run in your house and hide.


On a completely different note: I know I'm a little behind but I love Flight of the Conchords. Anyone else? Anyway, I found out the writers/directors of Napoleon Dynamite are about to release a new film called Gentlemen Broncos with Jermaine Clement that looks hilarious. Or maybe it's just me who thinks it looks funny. At least I think Jermaine looks funny. Ok, how about this instead? Hilarious, no? Yes!

Monday, April 27, 2009

One Giant Step in the Wrong Direction

My bed is in the living room. Our clothes are downstairs. The crib is still untouched, in pieces and in the living room. BUT! I managed to unpack the last office box. That room, is officially unpacked.

We're getting our hardwood floors refinished in our bedrooms (ours and baby's).

(BTW, can we say that Justin and I are 100% doing our part to spend money EVERYWHERE we can, including buying a house in a VERY unstable job market. And yet, we owed Minnesota taxes? How the? What the? Dumb Minnesota and your state taxes! Nevada isn't looking too bad right about now. Everybody, move to Nevada - NO STATE TAXES! And I know of some great houses for sale.)

Anyway, that's why I'm camping out in the living room. Scully doesn't care. As long as her bed is by ours, she can sleep anywhere. We knew this day would come - moving out of our bedroom, into the living room. It's just annoying. But, better do it now while the baby's room is empty with no more stinky carpet (seriously, it STUNK) and while I'm able to help move things, we're going for it.

(We could have moved into our spare room but it was downstairs, smelly (think, too many glade plug-ins courtesy of the previous owners leaving them everywhere) and I didn't want to move our bed that far. Plus, there's really nothing in the living room, it was easier.)

Justin suggested I start showing some before & after pictures of the projects we've done. Most have been started, only a few are finished. PLUS! There's random furniture everywhere, which is impressive because we don't HAVE any furniture. So until rooms are completely done, I'll hold off on the photos.

None of this helps because I want to "nest." That's such a silly, dumb, stereo-typical term. I think I'm going to call it "get my house in order before baby arrives." Much better. But for short, I'll call it "unpacking."

So, until further notice, no one is allowed to come over to my home. I'll most likely be in bed, in the living room, or possibly unpacking.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Practicing


Look at the CUTE sling Todd and his sister got me! I love it! And look at my cute substitute baby.

It's REALLY a bad angle of me and I'm not making excuses. Justin was sitting down, talking on the phone. I was laughing because Scully was trying to jump out. I thought she'd enjoy a little carry action from me. She's always wanting me to hold her. I guess not. I can only hope the baby doesn't try to jump out the first chance it gets.

I hate to mention it... but holy CHINS! And I DON'T hate to mention it... but holy boobage!

We spent last night at a baby consignment sale that happens twice a year. Last night (the first night) was for first-time mothers. Justin went along because, well, I kinda made him. But he seemed to have enjoyed himself picking out toys for his baby, and for him. Actually, I think most were for him since he found me in the clothes section exclaiming, "You've GOT to see this phone I found!"

"Ok"

Waddle, waddle, waddle over to the toy table where they had electronic games like guitar hero and phones? (kind of a weird thing to be selling at a baby/kid sale.) This phone apparently lights up. You know, for the kids. I told him to think about it for a while if he REALLY wanted one.

So while we stood in line for 1 1/2 hours to check out, he finally decided to get it. He also decided we need to come back after the baby is born because he wants to look for baby shoes. I guess it doesn't matter what we're having, Justin wants to buy shoes for this baby. NO.MATTER.WHAT! We scored a few newborn outfits, some maternity clothes and a few infant toys. And a phone.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Earth Day Deals

It's Earth Day kids! So I thought I'd provide you places to get freebies and cool projects to celebrate today.

Print up this coupon for a free reusable shopping tote AND get 15% off eligible store items AND 20% on all Walgreens brand items. It's today only!



Visit the Disney Store and bring in 3 bottles to recycle and they'll give you a free gift. Details here.


Justin wants to start an herb garden. He even has the kit but hasn't opened it yet. If you're ready to start and don't want to buy the kit, you can make your own herb garden by recycling tin cans. Cute project!



Want to try some 100% recycled Reynold's Wrap for free? Go here and print this mail-in-rebate for a free roll, while supplies last. Purchase must be made by May 4th and must be mailed in by May 30th. Who doesn't like a check in the mail?



You can recycle cereal boxes...or you can use them as magazine holders. I love it!

Friday, April 17, 2009

Neti Pot

Continued from yesterday:

I was desperate to breathe. No matter how much nose-blowing I was doing, it wasn't solving the overall problem of allergies. So I hit up Walgreen's on the way home from work.

They had 3 different brands! I couldn't even find one pot at Target. The pots all looked the same so I grabbed the one that came with the little salt packets.

I told Justin I bought one and as grossed out as it sounded to him, he wanted to watch. But with working on organizing the office and him setting up his computer, he missed out. Darn.

It didn't say anything about not using it *while* congested because, oh boy, was I stuffed up. I thought, if it doesn't work today, I'll try it again tomorrow. So I shoved the Neti Pot up my nose, tilted my head, opened my mouth and started to pour.

Hmmm, nothing came out the other side. I must have really been stuffed up. But where the heck did all that water go?

So before I thought I'd choke on salt water, I pulled the pot out and out came the water. I blew my nose like it said and surprisingly, it helped clear things out. So I tried it again on the same side. But I couldn't get the water to come out the other nostril. So I gave up. BUT! I could breathe so much better from that side.

I tried the other side and I got it to work. Water went into one nostril and out the other! Oh my garage! It was the wildest thing. Guess what? I could breathe! I demonstrated my breathing to Justin - impressed - and I slept most of the night without coughing fits and the inability to breathe, only waking up to rotate the belly.

I was going to do it this morning because I am a little stuffy (but not as I've been these last 2 weeks), but I ran out of time. So I'll be pouring water up my nose tonight. (Oh my Friday nights are EXCITING!)

Kids, the Neti Pot worked. Probably not as well had I not been completely stuffed up, but I'm pretty sure once I get everything flushed out (a few more days), that it'll be something I use on a semi-regular basis.

You can read more about it here and here.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Water Ballet

There's something about posting an ultrasound photo online that kinda freaks me out. Yes, the profile of the kid is cute but it's more of a "I don't really want you to see the inside of me" problem. Some things are too personal.

So, instead, you get my kid doing water ballet - or at least that's what it looks like. Or surfing on some big waves. Or just trying to find the best position before bed.

I held the camera pretty steady. This babe likes to move! Notice within the first 3 seconds the body part (arm? elbow? bum?) sweeps across. Yeah, it's weird to feel too.



It was a really active night. But we eventually went to sleep.

Oh, and Yea! for me for posting my first ever blogger video. Plenty of other times I tried but just couldn't wait long enough. Being pregnant has made me patient.

Answers to questions I get almost daily now:

1) Yes I'm feeling fine, you asked me yesterday. And the day before. And every freaking day before that so leave me alone already!

2) Still due in June.

3) It's the clothes that make me look bigger.

4) Yes, all chairs are uncomfortable.

5) Yes, I'm on my way to the bathroom. (Why would someone ask me that? But they do when they see me coming down the hall. That should be in the same category as 'no ultrasounds online,' it's personal.)

6) No, I can wait. I'm in no hurry to be done. I'm smart enough to know this is the easy part.

After finally getting over my stupid cold, I went and got hit by allergies. Yea! I'm desperate to breath, has anyone tried a neti pot? Oh boy, doesn't that look weird? But my boss swears by it - and apparently so does Dr. Oz.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Let the Comments Begin

Wednesday, since it was so warm in the morning (only 35 degrees!) I went to work without a jacket. I had on a hoodie and that was just enough for me. I get hot easily now - something I NEVER thought would happen. As I got on the bus, the very friendly driver asked "I don't normally ask these questions, but are you pregnant?"

No. What would give you that impression? Was it the little waddle I did trying to chase you down? Or the white shirt I'm wearing that accentuates the belly to point where it's completely obvious? But I'm glad he asked instead of just assuming I'm fat.

I'm not fat!

So we started talking and he mentioned that another rider is pregnant too. So when she got on, he "hooked us up." That's what he called it. She's not as far along but had some questions. I was flattered, but since when did I become an expert? I guess anyone is happy to talk to someone who's already been through it (I know I asked my sister-in-law questions). Even though I disappointed her by saying, "I haven't had any morning sickness or any other issues."

Later, in the skyway, two dudes were walking in front of me. Really, they were just tooling around, generally being in my way. They moved to the side and happened to look back at me.

Guy 1: "Whoa, watch out!"
Me: "Um, thanks?"
Guy 2: "You look like you're about to pop!"
Me: "Nope, not yet."
Guy 2: "Soon I hope!"
Me: "Nope, got 2 months left."

My brother-in-law is an expert on when prego's are gonna pop. He's seen it 6 times. And he said I'm no where near popping. Obviously! I'm only 30 weeks! But I'm happy he basically said I wasn't as big as those tools made it sound like.



These dumb maternity shirts with their empire waste do nothing to flatter any part. At least that's what I think. Plus, the "empire" part makes me itch!



This is basically how I wake up. With my shirt over my belly. Yes, the ring is still in. The Doctor said I'd need to take it out soon*. But! My belly button hasn't even popped out yet, that's how deep it is. It's so obvious it's a ring under my shirt, people's eyes are attracted to it almost like it's a third nipple or something. And I know you just took a peak while talking to me so stop making it obvious that you looked!

I thought it'd pop out at 30 weeks, now I'm aiming for 35. Any takers on that?



Oh, Justin. Look at how cute you are with your little belly.

*I have a maternity ring - a flexible ring. I put it in a while back but it was too long and looked even sillier under shirts. I would NEVER get it re-pierced if it closed up but then, I don't want to be a 40 year old with one. So I assume at one point I should just let it close up. Oh, the life decisions to make.

Monday, April 06, 2009

WGI Recap

- Driving to Dayton from Cincinnati during rush hour will take a long time.
- Crappy bleachers are not friendly to a pregnant belly or back. Especially if they rock when people go up and down the aisle.
- Nice, cushy seats ARE friendly to a pregnant belly and back. Thank you UD Arena.
- Some guards just shouldn't go. It's a waste of my time, the judges time, and everyone's time (and money).
- Civil rights shows are over done. Let's be creative people.
- Short sleeve weather!!!
- I watched more guard than I slept.
- Loud music and screaming fans tend to wake up a certain baby in the womb. Then the baby found vengeance by kicking the crap out of me. Thanks Amachi!
- I'm not FAT! You're FAT!
- It's always sad to see a great show not make it to finals.
- It's equally sad to see a crappy show make it to finals.
- If there was a scoop, I heard it.
- Santa Clara Vanguard=Awesome
- Performers just get more talented and awesome each season.
- Inspired to start teaching again. But then I come to my senses.