Already behind? :)

Okay, so it's the second week the blog has been in existence, and I'm already behind. I really meant to post earlier this week, but I let time get away from me.

On the baby front, all that's really going on this week is nursery progression. :) The glider was delivered on Tuesday, and it looks great in the nursery! We went with a very neutral color for it, since I didn't really want it to be the focal point, but when I ordered the bedding, I managed to remember to have a little accent pillow made for the glider, so it looks adorable! I ordered a fun lamp for the dresser. We found an orange one I love. I'm hoping it comes in next week, so I can continue putting things together. The only big things left I would like to get for in there is a little bookcase (we found a cute little red one on IKEA's website I think we might get - although that does mean having to GO to IKEA and navigate that crazy place) and the large carnival marquis letter that lights up for the wall. The rest is just little things.

Jeremy and I went to a consignment sale yesterday called "Penny Pinching Mamas". We found several cute clothing items. Mostly dresses, but also a couple of pairs of jeans and a cute pants outfit. Got some good deals! I was completely overwhelmed by the toys and stuff, so I mainly just stared blankly at those. hehe. :)

In other news, Jeremy's kids started school this week (he had to be back last week). He's got two large classes this year, so it may be challenging, but he's pretty excited to be back. I love going home in the afternoons and hearing the stories of the day. I constantly thank God that he ended up where he did with such a great admin team. He gets the support he feels he needs. Also, other big news - his school earned exemplary status last year! This is huge, particularly because he works at a Title I (lowest socio-economically) school. To earn exemplary status, you have to have a certain percentage passing. I don't know all the details, but the whole school has really been working hard at it for several years now. So exciting!

Other than that, not much happening. Still working on getting some things organized at the house. I've got a credenza on the way that will go in the living room to help organize games and free up upstairs closet space and perhaps to keep a few baby toys in. :) That will probably be here Monday, and we'll have to put it together. We're headed to a 50th anniversary party this weekend. WOW! Such an accomplishment. I look forward to that many years with Jeremy, if it's in God's plan. Jeremy's 30th birthday is coming up next Friday (I'm going to be married to an old man). ;) Following that, we have the rest of the late summer/fall family birthday onslaught. :) Kenny in September, Slade and Alyssa in October, Dad and Ronin in November. Keeps us busy!

Oh! One other thing! I did find out that I believe I'm going to be able to take off starting with Thanksgiving holidays through the month of January for the baby. I didn't realize I'd be able to be off that early, so that's a relief for me. I just have to work out the details now with the docs and insurance and HR people. Yea!

I think that's all I have for now. Hope everyone's having a great week, has a great weekend, and living his or her dream! Love you!

23 Weeks

Well, I'm 23 weeks along now (based on December 12th due date). My doc won't really commit to a due date these days. He just says sometime between December 6th and 12th, so whatever that means. I'm not holding my breath for Baby E to arrive either of those days, but whatever. :)

So for those (mostly family who don't live here) who've asked if I'm showing, I figured I can throw a baby bump pic in there every now and then so you can see the progress of my big-as-a-barn-ness. :-D Actually, I've been lucky. I didn't start actually gaining weight until last week - probably attributable to my thyroid hormone dosage finally getting stabilized (after I found out I was pregnant) and the fact that I finally got my tail into the gym a few times a week. My belly's been growing for sure, but the scale finally showed it last week. I'm hoping I'm able to keep the gain under control. The pics of me were taken on Sunday, so at 23 weeks exactly. Apparently, it's kinda obvious now, as strangers have started making comments or offering congratulations. :)

I've been really blessed to have an easy pregnancy thus far. I never really got sick, the fatigue has somewhat faded (although, my stamina isn't quite normal - I still get worn out pretty easily), and overall I've felt pretty great! My feet have started swelling, and although they got really bad a few days last week, I've really upped my water intake and started trying to prop my feet up under my desk at work, and I think that's helping. Hopefully, I can coast through the remaining 17 weeks or so without anything crazy happening. :) My next appointment is the 31st, and I will have my glucose test then. I've already done one, as they wanted to do an early screening for me, due to my starting weight and thyroid issues. That one came back fine, so I'm hoping this one does, too. I asked the doc whether I'd get to have another ultrasound, and he said, yes, at 37 weeks. Boo. Oh, well. :) Anyway, I know all that is boring to most, but just wanted to share the latest on the health front.

I was so excited to finally feel her move about two weeks ago. The doc had thought it would be before that, so I was a little nervous, but I felt her one morning and she's been rolling around in there ever since. :) This past weekend I was lying on the couch at one point and just happened to notice that I was able to see one kick. Finally, last night, she stayed moving long enough for me to have Jeremy come over and be able to feel her. I had been hoping he'd be able to feel her soon, and last night he was just barely able to. So cool! :)

The only other baby news we really have is that the nursery is coming along nicely! The painter was able to squeeze us in last week, and it turned out fabulous! The wall colors are actually a bit more turquoise than they look in the pictures. They've got a little more green in them. I love how it looks with the bedding! The only furniture we're waiting on is the chair, which should be in within the next month or so. Then I will start figuring out where to put things on walls. I'm so hesitant to put holes in the walls until I know for sure where things are going to go. Anyway, here are a couple of shots of the nursery (well, the furniture, walls, and bedding anyway). :) It's definitely a work in progress. :) By the way, our theme is vintage amusement park/carnival. I know - it's weird. :) I'm really excited about how it will turn out, though. I've got some old-looking photographic prints to hang on the walls of ferris wheels, skeeball, carousels, etc. So excited!

So, until I have something else to say...go live your dream! :)

The birth...

No, no, no. Not the birth of the baby, but of the blog! :)

Well, I've been trying to figure out how to best keep friends and family updated on the happenings in our family life and discovered that perhaps this is the best way. I'm not great at sending out regular emails (and I'm almost certain to leave at least one person off every time), so I figured I could keep this page updated to keep everyone who is interested updated. You can read as often as I post, if you like, or you can ignore it altogether.

I chose the name of this blog because of a Dean Martin song with which you may be familiar (and have heard if you were at our wedding and got a favor CD). I thought about trying to come up with a quote or title from and AC/DC song, as most of you know Jeremy and I are big fans. However, it just didn't seem to fit. Well, since music is a huge part of our lives, I kept thinking until I came up with "I'll buy that dream..." Here are the lyrics to the song:

Imagine me with my head on your shoulder
And you with your lips gettin' bolder
A sky full of moon and a sweet mellow tune
I'll buy that dream

Imagine you in a gown white and flowery
And me thanking Dad for my dowry
A church full of folks and those last minute jokes
I'll buy that dream

A honeymoon in Cairo with a brand new autogyro
Then home by rocket in a wink
We'll settle down near Dallas in a little old crazy palace
It's not as crazy as you think

Imagine me on our first anniversary
With someone like you in the nursery
It doesn't sound bad and if it can be had
I'll buy that dream

I decided that this was appropriate because I often feel like my life is a dream. I have ups and downs just like anyone else, but I believe God blessed me by putting Jeremy in my life at just the right time, and I sure am glad I waited for him. ;) It's a reminder to me that God most certainly does know what he's doing, and I am completely confident that there isn't a better match for me out there. I really believe I'm living the dream. Well, I'm living my dream, and I don't much care what other's dreams are. That's their business. :)

As I'm sure anyone who reads this knows by now, we're anxiously awaiting our new life change in the form of a new baby girl, scheduled to arrive in December! Many friends and family continue to ask how things are going, so I hope to use this tool to keep you updated on multiple aspects of our lives. I'll post pics, updates, stories, and probably prayer requests. :)

That's all for now, but I will post soon with some initial baby updates. In the meantime, live your dream!