Not so Dark Fence

The fence isn't anywhere close to the stain we selected. The fence guy said the color should change over a months time, so I guess we'll see how the color settles.

Other pictures from this afternoon

Harley on the kiddie slide

A Strange Night

The fence guy stopped by this morning. The stain on it is still wet. I'll have some pictures up later, but here is one of Corky frolicking in the grass.

Well, Trey and I had a strange night. We both woke up at 3 am and had a hard time going back to sleep. I was having a difficult time because Cheyenne was kicking me to death. Trey put his hand on my belly and every time she'd kick me good he'd say, "Whoa!"

Here is a random picture I took this morning.

Say Hello to False Labor

I never anticipated feeling achy during pregnancy, but that is exactly what I've been experiencing. Fortunately, the pain comes and goes.

Even though I'm still working out on the elliptical, I figured it might be a little better to do some walking, on the days when I'm not on the machine.

So, yesterday I went on a long walk. As I was walking, Trey was driving by in his work van. To make him laugh, I thought it would be funny if I started running. I'm sure I looked hilarious being pregnant bouncing up and down and strapped with 2 welsh corgi's. As soon as he passed by I stopped running, not because I wanted to, but mainly because I figured I looked ridiculous. Plus, it's not easy carrying all this extra weight.

Later during the walk, I thought I was in the beginning stages of labor, but later dismissed the pain as Braxton Hicks contractions. The best way to describe the pain is to compare it to serious menstrual cramps. It was an unpleasant feeling. When I told Trey he laughed and said, try to imagine that feeling times 10 when you're actually in labor.

SUPER!

Like he would know, right?

The Nursery at this Point

Click on the photo to get a better view


At the moment, this is the best panoramic I can produce, but I'm hoping to get a wider angle soon.

Pregnancy Snapshot at 8 Months

Can you believe it? I can barely believe that in a few weeks, I'll get to hold Cheyenne in my arms and not in my belly.

Last month, I felt the pressure of not having any baby gear, but after a few showers and purchasing furniture, I feel more prepared. Some loose ends that I still have on the to do list--- is sign up for a lamaze class.

So far, I'm getting a good nights rest. I've heard that as the pregnancy progresses and I get bigger that may change. Trey is really good about giving me space on the bed and I make sure to surround myself in a sea of pillows.

This week I'm going to consciously make an effort to slow down and take it easy. Some good advice I received from a midwife, is to prop my legs up at the end of the day. It sounds easy enough, but you can ask Trey, sometimes when I get home, 2 or 3 hours may go by before I sit down to relax. I'll walk in, clean up, cook, work out, get ready for the next day, and then take it easy. This week will be different.

Time to Choose a Stain

These are the choices for the fence stain.
Trey and I both agree on the darkest one.
Today, I've been enjoying the day at home. I would like to say I relaxed, but the majority of my time was spent deep cleaning the house. I didn't have any chemicals to sanitize the bathrooms, so I mixed an eco-friendly, distilled white vinegar and water to disinfect. It seemed to do the trick and I felt better, since I didn't have to expose Cheyenne to the harsh smell of chemicals. I didn't tell Trey I used this mix, but I'm sure he would roll his eyes and say, "buy the real cleaning stuff."

Other than cleaning, I baked some cookies for two new families that moved into the neighborhood. Trey and I spent about an hour at the couple's house, who live closest to us. They are both nurses and she use to work in labor and delivery at the hospital I chose, so she was giving me some great information on my doctor and the hospital. She said because the facility is so small they will be able to give me more attention. I like the sound of that.

Going-Going-Going and Taking Abuse from My Unborn Child

I woke up fairly early this morning and got a head start on cleaning, then went to church, went out to eat with some friends, went to a baby shower, went shopping, went to another church function, and finally I'm at a home.

You would think I'd be exhausted, but I'm actually thinking about working out. Crazy, I know.

Well, Cheyenne has been kicking me on and off all day long, but she's finally starting to settle down. She's been kicking me in a new spot. It's towards the top of my stomach. I'm guessing it's because she's head down and pushing her feet up. Either way, I don't mind the abuse.

Cheyenne's Crib

This took Trey less than an hour to put it together. He had heard other people say, it would take a long time, but he threw it up in no time.

I like how the back of the crib has beadboard, since it matches the bookcase.

Now all she needs is bedding. My mom will be working on the bedding, curtain, and window seat. Wow, she's gonna be busy.

Pregnancy Assessment

At work, I volunteered for two OB nursing labs. There were two groups of 5 nursing students who assessed my pregnancy.

The lab scenario:
Dominique is 31 weeks pregnant and is going into labor early.

With that information, the students asked me a plethera of questions, performed leopold maneuver, which determines the position of the fetus, and listened to Cheyenne's heartbeat with a fetal HB monitor.

Both groups, got her position right and therefore had no problems hearing her heartbeat. Her little heart was just beating away. After all of the students probed, picked and rubbed my belly, she was definitely awake and active. The students thanked me for being there and I thanked them for the belly massage. The leopold maneuver was so relaxing. I didn't want to get out of that hospital bed.

Overall, the assessment felt like an extensive doctors appointment.

Assembled Chaging Table

Trey put the changing table together and here it is.
This is the one we purchased.




We're still waiting on the crib.

Supporting Local Farmers

Lately, I've been researching Community Supported Agriculture and Farming Co-ops. Both offer support to local farmers, which makes me a fan. Also, I know the produce is home grown, right in my area-- not to mention, organic.

I usually have to shop at several stores just to get the produce I want. I'll start off shopping at my Neighborhood grocery store for my everyday pantry items and then I'll go to Central Market to get my organic produce.

But after researching CSA and Farming Co-ops, I decided to sign up with a local co-op. And I found out the pick-up location, is right down the street from me.

I'm going to try the Sample Box which comes with a variety of in season fruits and vegetables. I'll get to pick up my first box at the end of the month. I have no idea what will be in that box, but I guess it will make me try different things.

So, now that I'm on this organic, home grown kick, Trey rolled his eyes when I asked him if he could go to a local ranch and pick me up some fresh farm eggs. What? I've never had fresh farm eggs before, I just thought it would be nice to try them.

We Went From No Furniture to Too Much

Today, I came home and had 2 changing tables on my front porch. Apparently, some friends from work found my online registry and purchased the table I was meaning to delete from the registry. I was going to delete it since, Trey and I purchased another changing table.

So, now I have 2 tables and I feel horrible that I will have to return the one that they got me. I haven't had a chance to talk to them, but I know I will have to tell them.

Go Cowboys!

How do you like our church directory picture?

The church photographer had me stand behind Trey, so unfortunately you can't see Cheyenne.

Yesterday, I had a friend take some maternity pictures and for a few of them I wore my jersey. I will probably have those pictures uploaded by the end of the week.

Be Gone Gunk!

After living in our home, for almost a year, we're finally going to get the fence stained. The fence guy came over this morning to wash all the gunk off. Before I took these pictures the fence looked pretty bad.

He just washed the fence, but he'll probably be back in a few days to stain it a dark brown.


So, other than home improvements, I've been at home relaxing. Tonight, is the Dallas Cowboys game and we invited some friends over. I forgot that we were planning on ordering pizza and I started slow cooking beans. Oops!

It's Getting Out of Control

Trey is really getting into the yearbookyourself.com. He even went so far, as to download the pastors picture, off of our church website. So, if you get a picture of yourself via email, it's probably from him

This one of Corky cracks me up.

Mom

Linda

Steve

.

A Gift From Mom & Frank

Today, I picked up Cheyenne's bassinet. Isn't it lovely?
Mom and Frank didn't know what they got her, so I had to post this picture.

For now, we have it in the nursery, but I'm sure it will reside by my bedside. It can be converted to rock or roll. So, I'll probably roll it to the living room area too.

Well, yesterday Trey and I purchased Cheyenne's crib and changing table. We ordered it online and probably won't get it until the end of the month. Also a co-worker is giving us a glider, that's one of those chairs that's similar to a rocking chair. So, it looks like the nursery is really coming together. Having all this baby stuff around is really getting me excited about meeting baby Cheyenne.

More Yearbookyourself.com

Who Looks prettier?

Yearbookyourself.com

I needed a good laugh

What I would look like in 1966


The year I was born, 1984

A New Mac

My MacBook Pro is finally here. About a year ago, I was suppose to get a new work laptop, but that never happened. Now that my due date is approaching, management saw the need for me to get a portable work station.

Most likely, I will be working from home towards the end of my pregnancy and a little during my maternity leave. But honestly, I really want to be at work until the very end.

This mac is so much faster than my little G3 iBook. Trey hates my iBook, he will insist on using the Mac desktop over the iBook any day. Since he hates it so much, I brought the new one home, to show him how fast it is and he's not even here. He has to work through the night....poor guy.

I don't complain too much about the G3. I mean come on, it was purchased six years ago and it got me through college. I can't believe the thing is still working. That book has been used to the max and then some.

Hospital Tour

With only a few weeks until Cheyenne is born, I feel pressure to get things done. Today, Trey and I set time aside to tour the hospital and choose a pediatrician.

I have two hospital choices, but picked one over the other because I liked the labor and delivery staff, the room, the waiting area, and the size of the hospital.

The hospital is small and feels intimate compared to other hospitals I've seen. The staff took the time to talk with me about classes and one even gave me her home number and told me to go back up there in a few weeks so I can borrow a video she shows in one of her paid classes. She even enrolled me for free, in a breast feeding class she teaches.

I feel good about my hospital choice and now I can cross one more thing off of my list. The next thing to tackle is baby furniture.

Abilene Baby Shower

Yesterday, was the Abilene Baby shower hosted by my mom and Trey's mom.

The shower was wonderful and we had a great turn out.


Here are the rest of the pictures


Cheyenne got a number of outfits, hair pieces, socks, nursery decorations, diapers and the list goes on. Trey and I feel very blessed and we're thankful for the love, support, and gifts from friends and family.

The Beginning of Football Season

Trey put a flag pole in the front yard so he could wave his Dallas Cowboys flag.

Here you see him taking down the American flag.....





















Replacing it with football pride













Let's see, he has the hat, the watch, the flag, all he's lacking is the jersey.


Sunday morning, I plan on wearing my Cowboys jersey to church. I tried it on a few hours ago to see if it would fit and I have to say it's snug. I definitely have to wear a long undershirt with it, just in case my belly decides to pop out.

Sunday afternoon, we're having a group of people over to watch the game. We'll see how well the house can accommodate multiple guests. From what I hear, we should have a good amount of people over.

Trey said that while the guys are watching the game, the girls are going to be scapbooking at somebody's house. I looked at him like, you're crazy if you think I'm going to miss the first game of the season to go scrapbooking. He later told me, was was just joking.

Snapshot at 7 Months

Wow look at us grow!

So far, pregnancy has been great. I'm starting to notice the obvious effects of prenatal vitamins; long nails, shiny hair, and nice skin.

Lately, Cheyenne has been real active. She likes to kick and punch me. It doesn't hurt, in fact I like it. It lets me know that she's in there doing her thing.

7 Month Check Up

This morning I had a doctors appointment. It surprised me that I had another ultrasound done. I've talked to other women and some have said they were only allowed to get one or two. Today's sonogram makes it my fourth.

Well, the doctor did some measurements and according to Cheyenne's growth and development, I'm actually ahead of schedule. So, my due date has moved from November 28th to November 18th. Maybe I'll get to have some turkey after all.

Currently, she weighs 2 lbs and a few ounces.
Cheyenne snuggled in there real good.

The top of her head

A shot of her arm

Just another confirmation that she is, in fact a girl

Snapshot of her face

Dark Accent Wall: Before & After

Before: this picture was shot during the day time


After: this picture was shot in the evening

From Home

Here is another angle

From Home

Thank you until my Hand Falls Off

I'm done writing the thank you notes from the Port Lavaca baby shower. I wanted to write them before the next shower springs up on me. My poor hand is about to fall off and all Trey had to do was sign his name. That's not fair.

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend. Today, I spent the day shopping. I went to several stores looking for items to accessorize the nursery. Four stores later and I bought two picture frames with mates and a glass insert for a 20X28 picture frame. Now all I have to do is put pictures in them (that's the hard part).

Other than shopping, I had a chance to go swimming again with Sara. I'm sure I won't get a chance to go swimming again, since Labor Day marks the end of summer, but it was fun while it lasted.