Little Cupcake

I saw this little cupcake outfit in newborn size a couple weeks before Kensie was born. I thought it was so cute but almost didn't buy it because the doctor kept telling me we would have a big baby and everyone says not to buy newborn clothes. I'm glad I bought newborn clothes after all because 0-3 month clothing is huge on her. Do you like her bow? She wore it for about two seconds and wasn't having it. Don't worry, she will learn.

Meet our newest addition...

Kensie Marie

6 lbs. 13 oz.

19 inches long

September 16th, 2010

9:19 p.m.

Mom and baby are both doing well and are healthy. She already has mom and dad completely wrapped around her finger. We love her more than we could have ever imagined.

You know you're nine months pregnant when...

• The cold produce isle is now your favorite section of the grocery store
• Your husband is replaced by the body pillow
• Bathroom breaks have increased to three times a night
• You feel like a beached whale when trying to roll over in bed
• Everyone stares at your belly wherever you go
• Strangers constantly ask you if the baby is coming any day
• You haven't taken off your wedding ring for over a month...because it's impossible
• Pedicures have never felt better in your life
• You keep the thermostat at 72 degrees at night and still get too hot with a blanket
• Even maternity clothes are fitting snug
• You feel like a small hippo
• You instinctively locate the bathroom as your first order of business when shopping
• When you drop something on the floor you have to consider whether or not it is worth it to bend over and pick it up.

37 Weeks

38 Weeks

This week's doctor appointment didn't have the best of news. Baby's head is down but off to the side a little bit and not fully engaged. My doctor won't induce me on Thursday unless that changes by Wednesday. Instead, she got all crazy on me and scheduled a C-Section for Thursday in case the baby hasn't settled into place. That was an emotional day. After going home and thinking things over I decided I won't have it. I'm putting my foot down and will refuse the scheduled C-Section for Thursday if she won't induce me. So...there is a chance baby might not be coming this week...but we are hoping that she cooperates so that I'll have her on Thursday...

Because let's be honest...do you really think my belly can get any bigger? I think not.

Prenatal Yoga

As I progressed in pregnancy my choices for physical activity dwindled. Riding my bike and playing tennis became very uncomfortable around five or six months. Joining Niel in his P90X workout wasn't an option as it is not tailored to pregnant women. My daily walks were beginning to feel monotonous so I started to look for something else.

I bought the prenatal yoga dvd by Shiva Rea and have been doing it the last several weeks in addition to walking. I wish I had bought it sooner in my pregnancy. It isn't much of a workout but the stretching and yoga squats feel great. With the extra weight and change in posture, it helps to open up the joints and improve mobility. As my belly grew larger I didn't know how to stretch the muscles that needed to be stretched. This dvd helps solve all those problems. If you are pregnant, the $12 dvd at Walmart is a good buy.

Baby Shower #2

My good friends Mollie and Marleen threw me a wonderful shower! The theme for the shower incorporated birds because baby girl's nursery theme includes birds. The invitations were adorable and custom designed by Marleen's sister in law, who is a graphic designer.

The shower was at 10:00 a.m. so they served a yummy brunch. Pancakes, frittata, fruit, cinnamon rolls, sorbet, and juice. It was delicious. Mollie arranged the flowers herself and decorated so cute. The guests played baby gift bingo as I opened my gifts.

I received some really cute clothes and great gifts! It is so much fun opening presents for baby girl. I can't wait to doll her up in all the darling outfits we've received. Mollie and Marleen couldn't have thrown me a better shower. I'm so grateful to have such good friends!

4 Years

August 26th marked our fourth year anniversary. We figured we needed to celebrate right since this would be our last anniversary for many years without any munchkins. A friend suggested Mon Ami Gabi, a French restaurant inside the Paris hotel. We both ordered their 'famous' steak and were not disappointed. It was probably the best flavored steak my taste buds had ever experienced. Then we had their homemade eclairs and ice cream for dessert which were equally delicious. We will be back.

After dinner we checked into our room at the Paris. When we booked our room, we got the least expensive room to save money. As we arrived at check-in, we devised a plan to get an upgraded room. I sported my enormous pregnant belly (came naturally) and made it known to the check-in lady we were celebrating our last anniversary before the baby came.

She hooked us up. We were on the 25th floor with an amazing view of the strip and the Bellagio water show. The room was definitely an upgrade.

View from our room at the Paris

Anyways, this year has been my favorite year of marriage so far. I feel like we have grown a lot closer over the past year. While living in California we both had such crazy schedules and didn't see a whole lot of each other. It was almost as if we had our own separate lives. It has been so exciting to share this experience together of bringing a little person into the world. Although it is somewhat bittersweet as we say goodbye to living the carefree life without children, we are both excited to be parents. I know Niel will be a great dad and I am looking forward to year five together: our first year as parents.

Cravings

One of the most common questions I have been asked while pregnant is, "Have you had any cravings?" I heard that some pregnant women have crazy cravings at odd hours of the night for bizarre things like banana and peanut butter sandwiches. Honestly, I don't think my cravings have been any different than usual. I get really hungry every few hours and if I don't get food in my system I become fatigued and grumpy. I always have cravings for sweets (pregnant or not).

But then the other day I realized what my 'craving' has been. Watermelon. It always sounds good. It is cold, refreshing, and delicious. Maybe it is because we live in this crazy hot desert and something cool and refreshing always sounds good. Or maybe it is because I am pregnant. For now, I'm declaring it my pregnancy craving.

Exiting the work force

Shortly after I found out I was pregnant, I was offered a job at Ernst & Young Accounting firm as an executive assistant and also a job at Robert Half International as an account representative. At the same time I was offered a part time job at State Farm. I was really excited about the job opportunities at both Ernst & Young and Robert Half. Both were the type of career opportunities I had been hoping for. Even though I was offered both of these great opportunities, I was also disappointed. Why did I get two great job opportunities right after finding out I was pregnant? I had been looking for a job like this in California and ever since we moved to Vegas. Why now? Why not three years earlier?

As much as I wanted to take one of these positions, I knew what I should do. Both of those job opportunities were downtown and would have been demanding, high stress positions. I turned both of them down and took the part time position at State Farm as an office assistant. The position at State Farm ended up being a good opportunity. It was about 30 hours a week with a short commute. The job wasn't a career by any means but a good opportunity for the time being.

At times I have wondered if I would go crazy as a stay at home mom. I like the structure of going to work everyday. The social interaction at work is nice. There is also a sense of achievement when you are working daily and accomplishing projects, reaching goals, and earning money. From what I hear, being a stay at home mom is a full time job and more. In some ways a lot harder than working full time. Both are very challenging in different ways.

The career opportunities at Ernst & Young and Robert Half came and went...and I don't regret passing up either career. August 20th was my last day of work at State Farm. It was a good feeling and I couldn't have been happier. I know that the Lord's plan was for me to raise this little girl. Am I nervous? Yes. Do I wonder if I am capable and able to raise a child? Yes. But I know that this is what I am supposed to be doing right now...and I look forward to beginning this new phase of my life!

34, 35, 36

Alright, I know everyone is SO over these maternity photos but you will have to suck it up for the next couple of weeks because this belly growing process has got to be documented. Then you can look at pictures of our baby instead!

34 Weeks

I will not be wearing this outfit again. On the day I wore this outfit I had two people tell me, "You look like you are going to pop!" What do you say to that? Thanks, but I actually have a month and a half to go you big jerk!

35 Weeks

This week will have a post of its own because it was a monumental week.

36 Weeks

I bought this dress when I was 36 weeks. Who buys more maternity clothes when they are that far along? I did. I was so sick of my three maternity dresses that I had been alternating the whole pregnancy. Not to mention my maternity jeans continue to get more uncomfortable, especially with the heat. This dress is super comfy and lightweight...exactly what I need in this blazing hot desert we live in.
After some hesitations I finally bought a body pillow in hope that it would help with my back pain. My back still hurts but it is a lot better and I am able to sleep through the night now. Body pillow=best ten bucks I've spent this pregnancy.
Only three weeks left.

Baby Bargains

The first time I stepped foot into Babies R Us I was completely overwhelmed. Have you ever been in that store? It is ginormous and has thousands of items "needed" for your baby. I knew that babies were expensive and that there were lots of things to buy but I was rudely awakened after reading baby cost estimates and baby product checklists. A rough estimate of baby's first year is about $6,000 assuming you breast feed, don't use child care and not including labor and delivery costs according to babycenter.com. There were things on the baby product checklist I hadn't ever heard of!

I didn't even know where to start. What items are a waste of money? Which brand is best? Is it better to pay more and get the name brand or or get the most affordable item? Being completely overwhelmed by all of the products I needed to pick out, my sister suggested this book to me: Baby Bargains by Denis & Alan Fields

This book has been a total life saver. It has complete product reviews, safety reviews, and product comparison charts. It discusses which products you really need and which ones you can do without. When spending more money on a brand name makes a difference and when it doesn't matter. Estimates are provided for how many diapers, wipes, onesies, bibs, etc. you will need. Everything from maternity clothing to baby gear to nursing necessities-it is covered. It is very well organized and one can look up specific topics quickly. I even take it with me whenever I go baby shopping and look up product reviews.

I have spent hours and hours reading and referring to this book and it has definitely been worth the $15. I've saved hundreds of dollars and avoided purchasing unnecessary products. In addition, I feel confident about all of my purchases.

If you are pregnant, have a baby, or are thinking about having a baby, you should buy this book. It is worth every penny.