Random thoughts . . .

In the past I would hear people complain about how much a baby costs and I thought to myself . . . "how much can diapers really be!?" Well, Brian just called and told me the cost of having our security system updated (over $800), add this to bathroom renovations (need to add a tub for baby), add another person to our health insurance, purchase life insurance, enroll in Florida pre-paid college, future daycare bills, etc. etc. etc . . . OH! Having a baby IS expensive. Buying diapers IS not!

I left a funny story out of the post below. I had to get "permission" before mentioning. It took Brian about three hours to put the crib together on Saturday. He was very careful to do it correctly so that Liam would sleep safely for a long time! Somewhere at the beginning of this three hour project I made a suggestion . . . well, here is how the conversation went . . .

Amy: Do you think that you should put the crib together in the room?
Brian: Why?
Amy: In case it doesn't fit through the hallway or the door.
Brian: No! It'll fit.
Amy: OK

Fast forward three hours later.

Brian: ARE YOU *@#$ KIDDING ME?!
Amy: What!?
Brian: (staring at crib in hallway)
Amy: It doesn't fit?
Brian: (still staring at crib and turning it upside down)
Amy: I knew it wasn't going to fit (WRONG thing to say)
Brian: (staring at hinges of door)
Amy: Just take it a part and start over
Brian (staring at windows of bedroom for outside "delivery")
Amy: What are you thinking?
Brian: Would you please just stop talking

The rest is kind of a blur but I know that it took about 45 mins to take the crib apart and put it back together again IN THE ROOM! We are laughing about it today. We are still married. And we do still love each other!! ;)

28 Weeks!!

Well . . . hello 3rd trimester! How'd you get here so quickly!? This week, Liam should weigh two and a quarter pounds (You know, like a Chinese cabbage. Um, ok.) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now have lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through the womb (once Brian reads this I am sure I will have a flashlight on my belly tonight!). He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world. Get chubby little one!!

Brian and I spent the entire 3-day weekend getting Liam's room set up. It looks great! I love the crib. The room is really inviting. I think I could live in there . . . and I am sure I will! We left the queen-size bed in there and it fits perfectly in its new spot. This is so we don't have to head to the couch during restless nights and we still have a place for guests/helpers that come to visit the new baby. I'd rather have it and get rid of it later than wish I had it. I think it will be a nice place to hang out and roll around with our little guy! I will post pictures soon, but not until Brian's paintings are framed and on the wall and the lamp arrives!

I have a prenatal massage (finally!) this afternoon, followed by our 28 week appointment. Last week I learned that I failed the glucose screening. You can't have over 139 and my number was 141. I now have to do a 3 hour test. UGH! I am going to try and make the appointment for this Friday. I am sure I will pass it since my number is so close. The nurse said it might just be what I ate the night before (geez - a sandwich!). More to come on that . . .

27 Weeks

OMG! How is it possibly Tuesday AGAIN. Another week down. Next week begins the 3rd trimester. WOW! Soon we are gonna have a baby. Are we ready for this!? No turning back now.

This week, Liam weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended. He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, his brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were to be born now (not yet, baby boy!). He seems to be positioned on my right side, way up high, tucked into my ribs. I don't know if it is feet, hands, a head, a butt, or all of the above, but at the same times everyday he tries to snuggle in closer and if I am sitting at my desk I have to stand up and try to get him to shift down a little. Brian has finally been able to feel him move a lot and we spend a lot of time at night staring at my belly while it jumps around. Brian narrates with the "whoa's" and "wow's" and the "did you feel thats?" I sure do feel it. I love it.

I am feeling good this week. I haven't been swelling like I was and my hands and wrists are not bothering me at night. Maybe I had too much sugar, salt or not enough water that week. Who knows. I do feel like my stomach might pop open. It pulls SO tight. Especially after I eat. It's like sucking your stomach in for a picture, but not being able to let it out.

Brian and I went to Amelia Island this past weekend. We left work early on Friday, drove up and stayed until Sunday. Mom and Dad kept Miso at their house and that worked out great. It was a nice relaxing beach get-away. It was different than our usual get-away, which might include a cocktail or ten! We didn't explore the local bar scene. But we did sit at the beach all day and we had two delicious meals. Nice and relaxing - just what we needed.

Now it is . . . back to work! We have bathroom renovations to start (meeting with the contractor again tonight at Lowe's), a baby's room to decorate (putting the crib together and organizing this weekend) and baby stuff to register for (that's on the agenda for Thurday night). It's all fun, exciting things so I am not going to let it stress me out!

26 Weeks!

This one's for our friends across the Pond! Liam is 26 weeks old today and approximately the length of an English Hothouse cucumber (14 inches). These fruits and veggies still make me laugh! He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and I weigh about 300 pounds (oh, it sure feels like it!). The network of nerves in his ears are better developed and more sensitive than before. He may be able to hear our voices as we chat with each other. So he may or may not know that I think Donald Trump was unfair at times during the Celebrity Apprentice and winner Annie Duke is way too self consumed! He also may have learned some booty rap song that Brian was singing to him last night until I made him stop! He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. Here's the big news of the week . . . his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days. Oh lord, testicles and scrotums!? This is all new to me!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

That's Mom and me yesterday at Harper's 1st birthday party (doesn't Mom look so tiny next to me!!). I have the BEST mom! We are best friends. We talk EVERYDAY . . . SEVERAL times a day. I often wonder who I would call with the silly little things that happen to me if I didn't have my mom to talk with. Luckily I do!! Thanks Mom for all you have done to make me who I am today. I love you SO much! I can't wait to share motherhood with you very soon . . . you can teach me the ropes!

We are headed to the beach today - Mom's choice! We will spend a couple hours this afternoon on the beach and then eat some deliciously fried seafood and listen to live music at Down the Hatch. What a perfect day! Brian had breakfast ready for me this morning. There were flowers and a card from him and one from Liam! So cute.

Yesterday was a strange day for me . . . full of sadness and celebration. Early in the day Jen, Trisha, Kristen (all the way from the Caymen Islands - so nice to see them!) and I attended the beautiful memorial service for our friend, Tall Chad. We call him Tall Chad so that we don't get him confused with our shorter Chad. Tall Chad was a unique guy. He loved nature and the outdoors. He is what you might refer to as a "dude!" What a cool dude he was!! He was only 31 years old when he was killed on his motorcycle last week. His memorial at the beautiful Leu Gardens was attended by hundreds of friends and family. The guys wore shorts and flip flops and the girls wore sundresses and capris. True Chad style. His parents and brother Mark greeted each guest at the door with long hugs and kind words. I am heartbroken for his family. His brother Mark is a dear friend that I hope I will see often, especially after his lose! The world was a better place with Tall Chad and I know that he is now enjoying the ocean and sun everyday! Here's a picture of Tall Chad (left), his Dad, Mark and Mom. Please keep the Schneider family in your thoughts!

I mentioned celebration . . . and I already mentioned Harper's birthday party . . . well, later in the day Mom, Dad, Brian and I attended Harper's 1st birthday party. Harper is Erin's daughter. Erin and I were very close friends in middle and high school. We have remained close and have recently begun to see each other more often. Back in the day our parents used to hang out a lot together, but they had lost touch. The party was a great opportunity for everyone to reconnect! It was the perfect party . . . calm (unlike a lot of little ones parties - i liked this!), good food, fun conversation! Thanks to Erin and Russ for including us and HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARPER!!

I guess I had a lot to say today! And I'll leave you with . . . HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all the Mother's in my life!! You make the world go round!

Holy Moly

Week 17












Week 21












Week 25












I thought I was big week 17!
What was I thinking!?

25 Weeks

I think I will make this one a guessing game! It's week 25 and Liam weighs about the same (1.5 pounds) as the vegetable above. Or is it a fruit!? Who knows what it is!? Head to heels, he now measures about 13 1/2 inches and is beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat (yay! Chunky baby love - my favorite!). As he does this, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture. OMG, is it red!? I can hardly wait to know.

We didn't get a chance to put the crib together this weekend. We were too busy with a Kentucky Derby party! One project a weekend is about all I can handle. We DID put the glider together and I really like it. Here are a couple of pictures from the party . . .

That's Sofia, Fada and Derek's eight month old. She is scrumptious! She is such a well behaved baby. We all just pass her around.

Wouldn't it be fun if women still wore hats!?

So this weekend is Mother's Day! Someday soon I will receive a little hand print with "I love you Mommy." Or something equally adorable for Mother's Day! I can't wait. This year we are going to the beach! Mom's choice. I am looking forward to it. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all the Mommy's that read my blog!!