Sunday Funday (and a little catch up)

Sorry to all for the lack of posts lately! It has been a crazy few weeks of work and fun in the sun for us at the Danielson Home. We are getting things ready for the nursery.  Unfortunately, we are having to send the dresser back we got at Macy's due to a few marks on it, but they are sending a replacement that should be here in a matter or days. The crib arrived last week, and so did the baby bedding.  The bedding is PERFECT! It is exactly what I envisioned.  I can't wait for the glider to arrive so we can see it all together.  Dave and I also went on Friday afternoon to pick up a few paint samples.  He is going to get the colors up this week, so we can decide which grey and which white to go with - who knew there were so many options! It is hard to find the perfect shade, but I have faith :)

As of today, we are 24 weeks! That is 6 1/2 months according to "What to expect when you are expecting".  I still can't believe how fast time is flying.  I think it will go even faster now that the summer time is here.  Time always seems to move faster in the summer.  Below are a few pictures from this weekend at my old neighbor's graduation party.  I used to babysit Jimmy when he was younger and now he is off to college in the fall! Makes me feel old :)  then again, I'm the pregnant one!!

 Kelsey and I (sister of the graduate, and one of my bridesmaids)

Me, Mom and Baby "D" @ 24 weeks!

UPDATE

How far along? 24 weeks  

Total weight gain: 9 pounds at my last appointment

Maternity clothes?: mostly my regular clothes with a few maternity items mixed in
Stretch marks?: no

Sleep: well, AC unit has been replaced, and sleep is better, but still not great! My allergies are continuing to get the best of me, but I am extremely thankful for Patenol eye drops!

Best moment this week: a blessing of the baby from Fr. Leon

Miss Anything?: allergy medication!!
Movement: baby moves like crazy now! I notice it mostly after I have eaten, or when I am laying down.  They say that when you are walking and moving around a lot, the baby gets lulled to sleep. 

Food cravings: fruit, sugar doughnuts, green olives, cheese ... not all at once though!  Anything making you queasy or sick: nope
Gender: unknown.  anyone care to guess?
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: the ever growing belly
Belly Button in or out?: an "innie" for the time being, althought it is getting shallower by the day :) I have to admit, it's a bit weird to see your belly button change shapes 
Wedding rings on or off?: on

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy, happy, happy! Althought David would probably say I am moody as well :) blame it on the hormones!
Looking forward to: seeing Baby "D's" room come together 

 

One more thing...

 

A HUGE THANK YOU to all the men and women that have or are currently fighting for our country and our freedom.  We dont thank them enough, and yet we owe it all to them! Home of the free because of the Brave.

Sorry to all for the lack of posts lately! It has been a crazy few weeks of work and fun in the sun for us at the Danielson Home. We are getting things ready for the nursery.  Unfortunately, we are having to send the dresser back we got at Macy's due to a few marks on it, but they are sending a replacement that should be here in a matter or days. The crib arrived last week, and so did the baby bedding.  The bedding is PERFECT! It is exactly what I envisioned.  I can't wait for the glider to arrive so we can see it all together.  Dave and I also went on Friday afternoon to pick up a few paint samples.  He is going to get the colors up this week, so we can decide which grey and which white to go with - who knew there were so many options! It is hard to find the perfect shade, but I have faith :)

As of today, we are 24 weeks! That is 6 1/2 months according to "What to expect when you are expecting".  I still can't believe how fast time is flying.  I think it will go even faster now that the summer time is here.  Time always seems to move faster in the summer.  Below are a few pictures from this weekend at my old neighbor's graduation party.  I used to babysit Jimmy when he was younger and now he is off to college in the fall! Makes me feel old :)  then again, I'm the pregnant one!!

 Kelsey and I (sister of the graduate, and one of my bridesmaids)

Me, Mom and Baby "D" @ 24 weeks!

UPDATE

How far along? 24 weeks  

Total weight gain: 9 pounds at my last appointment

Maternity clothes?: mostly my regular clothes with a few maternity items mixed in
Stretch marks?: no

Sleep: well, AC unit has been replaced, and sleep is better, but still not great! My allergies are continuing to get the best of me, but I am extremely thankful for Patenol eye drops!

Best moment this week: a blessing of the baby from Fr. Leon

Miss Anything?: allergy medication!!
Movement: baby moves like crazy now! I notice it mostly after I have eaten, or when I am laying down.  They say that when you are walking and moving around a lot, the baby gets lulled to sleep. 

Food cravings: fruit, sugar doughnuts, green olives, cheese ... not all at once though!  Anything making you queasy or sick: nope
Gender: unknown.  anyone care to guess?
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: the ever growing belly
Belly Button in or out?: an "innie" for the time being, althought it is getting shallower by the day :) I have to admit, it's a bit weird to see your belly button change shapes 
Wedding rings on or off?: on

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy, happy, happy! Althought David would probably say I am moody as well :) blame it on the hormones!
Looking forward to: seeing Baby "D's" room come together 

 

One more thing...

 

A HUGE THANK YOU to all the men and women that have or are currently fighting for our country and our freedom.  We dont thank them enough, and yet we owe it all to them! Home of the free because of the Brave.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing Moms out there! I have so many wonderful "moms" in my life that I am thankful for, but there are two in particular.  My mom, Kim, and David's mom (my MIL), Julie. 

David and Julie at our Wedding 1.16.10

Mom and I at my Sister's wedding 10.30.10



On this journey towards motherhood, these two have been supportive, loving and informational. I hope to be half the mommy to our little one as they were to us, and still are. Both our moms worked while we were growing up, but managed to be at all of our major events, and even the little ones. They raised us with strong morals and work ethic, and we owe who we are today to the two of them (and our Dad's too!). I have always appreciated my mom and Julie, but as I get closer and closer to being a mom in a few short months, I have a true appreciation for all that they have done and all that they continue to do. I hope I let our children learn life lessons like they did, while still offering them my guidance and support.  I hope I raise our children with the morals and values they instilled on us, while still allowing them to explore this crazy thing we call life.  I hope I am able to deal with life challenges with the same grace and strength they both have over the years.  And most of all, I hope to love my children with the same passion, tenderness and care that they love David and I with. 

This is a book that always makes me think of a mother's love.  Its called "I'll love you Forever" by Robert Munsch.

 

A mother held her new baby and very slowly rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she held him, she sang:
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.
The baby grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was two years old, and he ran all around the house. He pulled all the books off the shelves. He pulled all the food out of the refrigerator and he took his mother's watch and flushed it down the toilet. Sometimes his mother would say, "this kid is driving me CRAZY!"
But at night time, when that two-year-old was quiet, she opened the door to his room, crawled across the floor, looked up over the side of his bed; and if he was really asleep she picked him up and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. While she rocked him she sang:
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.
The little boy grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was nine years old. And he never wanted to come in for dinner, he never wanted to take a bath, and when grandma visited he always said bad words. Sometimes his mother wanted to sell him to the zoo!
But at night time, when he was asleep, the mother quietly opened the door to his room, crawled across the floor and looked up over the side of the bed. If he was really asleep, she picked up that nine-year-old boy and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she rocked him she sang:
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.
The boy grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was a teenager. He had strange friends and he wore strange clothes and he listened to strange music. Sometimes the mother felt like she was in a zoo!
But at night time, when that teenager was asleep, the mother opened the door to his room, crawled across the floor and looked up over the side of the bed. If he was really asleep she picked up that great big boy and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. While she rocked him she sang:
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.
That teenager grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was a grown-up man. He left home and got a house across town. But sometimes on dark nights the mother got into her car and drove across town.  If all the lights in her son's house were out, she opened his bedroom window, crawled across the floor, and looked up over the side of his bed. If that great big man was really asleep she picked him up and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she rocked him she sang:
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.
Well, that mother, she got older. She got older and older and older. One day she called up her son and said, "You'd better come see me because I'm very old and sick." So her son came to see her. When he came in the door she tried to sing the song. She sang:
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always...
But she couldn't finish because she was too old and sick. The son went to his mother. He picked her up and rocked her back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And he sang this song:
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my Mommy you'll be.
When the son came home that night, he stood for a long time at the top of the stairs. Then he went into the room where his very new baby daughter was sleeping. He picked her up in his arms and very slowly rocked her back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while he rocked her he sang:
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing Moms out there! I have so many wonderful "moms" in my life that I am thankful for, but there are two in particular.  My mom, Kim, and David's mom (my MIL), Julie. 

David and Julie at our Wedding 1.16.10

Mom and I at my Sister's wedding 10.30.10



On this journey towards motherhood, these two have been supportive, loving and informational. I hope to be half the mommy to our little one as they were to us, and still are. Both our moms worked while we were growing up, but managed to be at all of our major events, and even the little ones. They raised us with strong morals and work ethic, and we owe who we are today to the two of them (and our Dad's too!). I have always appreciated my mom and Julie, but as I get closer and closer to being a mom in a few short months, I have a true appreciation for all that they have done and all that they continue to do. I hope I let our children learn life lessons like they did, while still offering them my guidance and support.  I hope I raise our children with the morals and values they instilled on us, while still allowing them to explore this crazy thing we call life.  I hope I am able to deal with life challenges with the same grace and strength they both have over the years.  And most of all, I hope to love my children with the same passion, tenderness and care that they love David and I with. 

This is a book that always makes me think of a mother's love.  Its called "I'll love you Forever" by Robert Munsch.

 

A mother held her new baby and very slowly rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she held him, she sang:
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.
The baby grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was two years old, and he ran all around the house. He pulled all the books off the shelves. He pulled all the food out of the refrigerator and he took his mother's watch and flushed it down the toilet. Sometimes his mother would say, "this kid is driving me CRAZY!"
But at night time, when that two-year-old was quiet, she opened the door to his room, crawled across the floor, looked up over the side of his bed; and if he was really asleep she picked him up and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. While she rocked him she sang:
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.
The little boy grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was nine years old. And he never wanted to come in for dinner, he never wanted to take a bath, and when grandma visited he always said bad words. Sometimes his mother wanted to sell him to the zoo!
But at night time, when he was asleep, the mother quietly opened the door to his room, crawled across the floor and looked up over the side of the bed. If he was really asleep, she picked up that nine-year-old boy and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she rocked him she sang:
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.
The boy grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was a teenager. He had strange friends and he wore strange clothes and he listened to strange music. Sometimes the mother felt like she was in a zoo!
But at night time, when that teenager was asleep, the mother opened the door to his room, crawled across the floor and looked up over the side of the bed. If he was really asleep she picked up that great big boy and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. While she rocked him she sang:
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.
That teenager grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was a grown-up man. He left home and got a house across town. But sometimes on dark nights the mother got into her car and drove across town.  If all the lights in her son's house were out, she opened his bedroom window, crawled across the floor, and looked up over the side of his bed. If that great big man was really asleep she picked him up and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she rocked him she sang:
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.
Well, that mother, she got older. She got older and older and older. One day she called up her son and said, "You'd better come see me because I'm very old and sick." So her son came to see her. When he came in the door she tried to sing the song. She sang:
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always...
But she couldn't finish because she was too old and sick. The son went to his mother. He picked her up and rocked her back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And he sang this song:
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my Mommy you'll be.
When the son came home that night, he stood for a long time at the top of the stairs. Then he went into the room where his very new baby daughter was sleeping. He picked her up in his arms and very slowly rocked her back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while he rocked her he sang:
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

Playing a little "Catch Up"

There is so much to post about and catch up on!!

The last two weeks have been a bit crazy in the Danielson Household.  For starters, we ordered the dresser for the baby's room (it gets delivered on Saturday!!).  That sent me in to a bit of a tailspin of "nesting" - I don't think David has ever seen me so motivated to clean out closets, bedrooms, etc.  I still have a few more closets and rooms to get through, but am making lots of progress.  For starters, my wonderful dad came over and put together a high boy dresser for our room so I could clear out the closet in baby's room (where all my works clothes, purses and scarves have been stored for the last two years).  That is pretty much accomplished, but still a bit more organizing to do.  My next few projects include getting the office furniture moved to the downstairs bedroom, and getting Dave to clean out some space on his side of the closet (hopefully by donating some clothes to goodwill!). 

This past Thursday (5.3.12) night was the highlight of the pregnancy so far- we BOTH felt the baby move for the first time! It started out as little nudges, and I had to really concentrate to feel them, but once I knew what I was feeling for, I was able to anticipate them a bit more.  It was a wonderful experience, and I love feeling him/her move around on a daily basis.  I think he/she sleeps during the day, because I feel baby most at night and in the morning, not too much in the afternoon.  Hopefully this sleep patern doesnt continue in 4 more months when baby makes its appearance!

On Tuesday (5/8/12), we had our 21 week ultrasound in Sacramento with my Perinatologist. We were fortunate enough to be able to take our moms with us, and it was a wonderful experience.  We had an amazing ultrasound tech that spent about 45 minutes with us. She showed us the top of the head, and the different sections of the brain that are forming, the baby's nose and mouth, the four chambers of the heart, the ribs, spine, arms, hands, legs and feet.  We lucked out- since we (I) dont want to find out the sex of the baby, baby cooperated and had his/her legs crossed.  Dave likes to think that makes baby a Girl, but I still think Boy!

After the ultrasound, we headed to Buy Buy Baby and Dave's parents bought us the glider for the baby's room.  It is like a lazy boy, but rather than rocking, it "glides".  It also reclines in to a full laying position for those long nights in the nursery.  We opted to go with a yellow fabric and white pipping, to balance out the grey and white of the rest of the nursery.  Pictures to come!

Like I said, it has been a crazy few weeks, but a wonderful few weeks! I feel great, am really starting to show, and we are loving this warm weather (now that we have a working AC unit).

UPDATE

How far along? 21 1/2 ... 18 more to go!  

Total weight gain: 5+ pounds give or take
Maternity clothes? mostly my regular clothes with a few maternity items mixed in
Stretch marks? no

Sleep: well, AC unit has been replaced, and sleep is better, but still not great! My allergies are continuing to get the best of me, but I am extremely thankful for Patenol eye drops!

Best moment this week: finally felt the baby move!! even better, we got to experience it together

Miss Anything? allergy medication!!
Movement: finally!!

Food cravings: fruit, sugar doughnuts, green olives, cheese ... not all at once though!  
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope
Gender: unknown.  anyone care to guess?
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: the ever growing belly
Belly Button in or out? an "innie" for the time being. I have to admit, it's a bit weird to see your belly button change shapes 
Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy, happy, happy!
Looking forward to: dresser arriving this weekend, ordering the crib and bedding in the next few weeks, delivery of the glider, finding little trinkets and decor for baby's room

There is so much to post about and catch up on!!

The last two weeks have been a bit crazy in the Danielson Household.  For starters, we ordered the dresser for the baby's room (it gets delivered on Saturday!!).  That sent me in to a bit of a tailspin of "nesting" - I don't think David has ever seen me so motivated to clean out closets, bedrooms, etc.  I still have a few more closets and rooms to get through, but am making lots of progress.  For starters, my wonderful dad came over and put together a high boy dresser for our room so I could clear out the closet in baby's room (where all my works clothes, purses and scarves have been stored for the last two years).  That is pretty much accomplished, but still a bit more organizing to do.  My next few projects include getting the office furniture moved to the downstairs bedroom, and getting Dave to clean out some space on his side of the closet (hopefully by donating some clothes to goodwill!). 

This past Thursday (5.3.12) night was the highlight of the pregnancy so far- we BOTH felt the baby move for the first time! It started out as little nudges, and I had to really concentrate to feel them, but once I knew what I was feeling for, I was able to anticipate them a bit more.  It was a wonderful experience, and I love feeling him/her move around on a daily basis.  I think he/she sleeps during the day, because I feel baby most at night and in the morning, not too much in the afternoon.  Hopefully this sleep patern doesnt continue in 4 more months when baby makes its appearance!

On Tuesday (5/8/12), we had our 21 week ultrasound in Sacramento with my Perinatologist. We were fortunate enough to be able to take our moms with us, and it was a wonderful experience.  We had an amazing ultrasound tech that spent about 45 minutes with us. She showed us the top of the head, and the different sections of the brain that are forming, the baby's nose and mouth, the four chambers of the heart, the ribs, spine, arms, hands, legs and feet.  We lucked out- since we (I) dont want to find out the sex of the baby, baby cooperated and had his/her legs crossed.  Dave likes to think that makes baby a Girl, but I still think Boy!

After the ultrasound, we headed to Buy Buy Baby and Dave's parents bought us the glider for the baby's room.  It is like a lazy boy, but rather than rocking, it "glides".  It also reclines in to a full laying position for those long nights in the nursery.  We opted to go with a yellow fabric and white pipping, to balance out the grey and white of the rest of the nursery.  Pictures to come!

Like I said, it has been a crazy few weeks, but a wonderful few weeks! I feel great, am really starting to show, and we are loving this warm weather (now that we have a working AC unit).

UPDATE

How far along? 21 1/2 ... 18 more to go!  

Total weight gain: 5+ pounds give or take
Maternity clothes? mostly my regular clothes with a few maternity items mixed in
Stretch marks? no

Sleep: well, AC unit has been replaced, and sleep is better, but still not great! My allergies are continuing to get the best of me, but I am extremely thankful for Patenol eye drops!

Best moment this week: finally felt the baby move!! even better, we got to experience it together

Miss Anything? allergy medication!!
Movement: finally!!

Food cravings: fruit, sugar doughnuts, green olives, cheese ... not all at once though!  
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope
Gender: unknown.  anyone care to guess?
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: the ever growing belly
Belly Button in or out? an "innie" for the time being. I have to admit, it's a bit weird to see your belly button change shapes 
Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy, happy, happy!
Looking forward to: dresser arriving this weekend, ordering the crib and bedding in the next few weeks, delivery of the glider, finding little trinkets and decor for baby's room

oOh! We're Half Way There!

Please Excuse the self portrait!



How far along? 20 Weeks...HALF WAY DONE!

Total weight gain: 4+ pounds
Maternity clothes? mostly my regular clothes with a few maternity items mixed in
Stretch marks? noSleep: all of a sudden sleep is not so great - unless I am extremely tired, I wake up at least 2 times a night (I think it is more due to allergies, and the fact that our AC unit went out last week and our room has been on the warm side lately) Hope this is just a phase and it gets better after our unit is replaced tomorrow!
Best moment this week: We bought our first piece of furniture for the nursery! It's a dresser from Macy's that we both LOVE - it will be the perfect changing table/dresser combo while we need it, and a piece the baby can grow in to as he/she gets older  
Miss Anything? allergy medication!!
Movement: I might have felt something last night but I'm pretty sure it was (TMI) gas :) 
Food cravings: fruit, sugar doughnuts, green olives, cheese ... not all at once though!  
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope
Gender: unknown.  anyone care to guess?
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: the ever growing belly
Belly Button in or out? still an "innie" but getting shallow!
Wedding rings on or off? onHappy or Moody most of the time: so very happy
Looking forward to: having Air Conditioning again! Ordering the crib and baby bedding.  figuring out what paint color to go with... so many things!

Please Excuse the self portrait!



How far along? 20 Weeks...HALF WAY DONE!

Total weight gain: 4+ pounds
Maternity clothes? mostly my regular clothes with a few maternity items mixed in
Stretch marks? noSleep: all of a sudden sleep is not so great - unless I am extremely tired, I wake up at least 2 times a night (I think it is more due to allergies, and the fact that our AC unit went out last week and our room has been on the warm side lately) Hope this is just a phase and it gets better after our unit is replaced tomorrow!
Best moment this week: We bought our first piece of furniture for the nursery! It's a dresser from Macy's that we both LOVE - it will be the perfect changing table/dresser combo while we need it, and a piece the baby can grow in to as he/she gets older  
Miss Anything? allergy medication!!
Movement: I might have felt something last night but I'm pretty sure it was (TMI) gas :) 
Food cravings: fruit, sugar doughnuts, green olives, cheese ... not all at once though!  
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope
Gender: unknown.  anyone care to guess?
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: the ever growing belly
Belly Button in or out? still an "innie" but getting shallow!
Wedding rings on or off? onHappy or Moody most of the time: so very happy
Looking forward to: having Air Conditioning again! Ordering the crib and baby bedding.  figuring out what paint color to go with... so many things!