HOT

I've just checked the temperature outside and it's only like 78 degrees. My air conditioner is on. However, I'm sitting here practically sweating. I am someone who is always cold, yet I haven't slept with any covers in like 2 weeks. I keep threatening my husband that we are going to get a fan in our room and he pleads with me not to as he is cold at night. He probably just likes how I have to practically strip down naked to keep from sweating to death. :) This is too wierd. It's a good thing I only have one more month of pregnancy and don't have to go through the entire summer!

Little T's room is slowly coming along. The bedding has been ordered and shipped and Jon just needs to get the furniture assembled. I've started washing his blankets, towels, hand-me-down clothes, etc in special baby detergent (it took 5 loads if you can believe it). I haven't even started on the new clothes and onesies that are hanging in his closet. I think I'll just do a few newborn outfits and then save the rest to launder once we are sure he really is a boy! It took me two full days to go through all of his things. I have to admit, though, it made me really excited to meet my little guy! Unbelievable that he could be here sometime in the next few weeks! I went yesterday to buy our car seat and stroller. I'm hoping to install it and go to get it inspected tomorrow. Then we'll officially be okay to bring our baby home from the hospital! The pack'n'play is all set up right next to my bed. I keep looking inside it and feeling amazed that there is actually going to be a little person in there soon!

Do you ever REALLY feel prepared to be a mother? I mean, I was sure I was ready for this way before we even started trying to have a baby. Now I have this feeling like, "oh crap, what did I get myself into!" Don't get me wrong -- I am completely excited and feel SO blessed -- but like I've said before, I'm so scared! It's kind of the same feeling I had when I waited at the starting line of my half-marathon a few years ago. Or for those of you in Colorado Springs -- the way you feel when you start the Incline -- after you are about 50 steps into it and you see that you still have what seems like 999,950 steps to go. It's the same way I felt when my parents dropped me off at college and I sat there at the welcome banquet with all of the other volleyball players, wondering just what life would be like as a college athlete. Like "YIKES!! Can I really do this???" Anyone who knows me, especially my husband, knows that being a "mom" (and wife, of course) is all I've ever REALLY wanted to be. Now I feel like I'm getting ready to start my dream job, the most important thing I'll ever do, the thing I've looked most forward to in life, and I just don't want to mess up. I want to enjoy every second of it.

It helps a lot when I read other mothers' blogs, like the Foss Family's, the Berndt Family's, or Gasperiniville. Their sweet pictures and anecdotes about their everyday lives help me to see that it's all going to be okay. I just need to RELAX about it all ... but I don't want to be TOO relaxed ... Oh my ...

I've been putting off going to the gym for about 3 hours now, so I better get going. Then I'm going to shower and treat myself to an afternoon at the book store reading and sipping a decaf latte -- or maybe a frappucino or milkshake instead with all of this heat!

My mom sent me a forward about being a mother and I just thought this picture was SO cute. Had to share ...

It's Been Too Long

What a lazy blogger I've become! It's been more than a month since my last post. I can't believe it. It seems like just yesterday I was saying goodbye to my sweet friends in Colorado Springs! The move honestly hasn't been anything like I expected. I envisioned myself sitting on my back porch with a lemonade each day, finally getting some time to read all of those books on how to parent and get my baby to sleep well. However, it has taken much longer than I expected to get my house in order, get things ready for little T's arrival, etc. I only have 2 more rooms left to organize, and then I can get some of that relaxing in!

Two weeks ago, my mom and sister came to visit, which was SO MUCH FUN!! We went shopping, got pedicures, and just hung out. I just loved having them here, having constant companionship throughout my day. I have a tendency to work work work trying to get everything done on my "to do" list and by the time Jon gets home, I haven't talked to anyone all day! I'm working up the nerve to take my neighbor over some banana bread sometime this week and offer to walk with her if she ever takes her kids out. I'm such a chicken! Anyways, my mom and sister stayed from Wed to Fri and then Jon and I drove home to Michigan with them.

That first weekend, the women in my family had a baby shower for me. It was SO perfect and special. I couldn't help looking around at all of the wonderful women there and feeling incredibly blessed to be part of a legacy of such love and encouragement! It made me feel much less nervous about becoming a mom -- I know I'll have more support than I could ever ask for from my grandma, aunts, cousins, and sisters. The best part was being able to spend time chatting with my cousin, Carolyn, who became a mother this past year. Her stories and advice were so much fun to hear!

After my shower, Jon went back home and I stayed in Michigan for the week! Once again, I thought my time there would finally be a chance to relax, but it didn't quite happen like that! We spent the week preparing for and having a garage sale. We got rid of lots of junk and I made some extra cash, which is always nice! Then it was time to get ready for my little brother's graduation party. Everything turned out wonderful and all of our hard work payed off! I finally got my chance to relax on Monday when my dad took all of us out on his boat. It was a gorgeous day and it was so nice to have all of my family together! Last night Jon came to pick me up and I am back at home again. I missed my hubby! I am glad to be back here with him! We're taking one last trip home next weekend to watch my brother graduate and have one last baby shower. Then it will be no more traveling until the baby comes!

Jon seems to be liking his job so far. He is still learning about what he needs to do, but likes the people he works with and is already getting involved in the golf and basketball leagues. I get up with him every morning and make him his coffee and toast. I love watching him leave. He is always in a good mood and looks so handsome in his clothes for work!

As far as my pregnancy goes, I'm still feeling pretty good. I'm starting to feel just a little bit more tired than before, and just a little uncomfortable when it comes to sitting or lying in one place for a long period of time. I was getting a little bit nervous for a while because everyone who saw me commented on how small my tummy was for how far along I am. At first, I just dismissed it, but then started to get nervous as I heard the same thing over and over. My doctor said I was measuring just right, but still ... Anyways -- I have grown so much this past week, I think I'm finally looking more normal. Jon couldn't believe how much I had changed in the week I spent at home! I have another doctor's appointment later this week and should be going once a week from now on. I can't believe there's less than 30 days left until I'm due!!