Scoring Update: Productivity 206, Laziness 12.5

So rather than the traditional obsessive cleaning that goes along with nesting, apparently I've had the project completion bug. Holy crap, who knew how much I could get done when not working 6-day weeks??

A sampling of what I've accomplished since starting maternity leave:
-caught up on our baseball scrapbook
-made five sets of notecards for my knitting girls' birthdays this summer
-sewed/quilted a darling green & brown blanket for the Nugget
-finished knitting Chubby Bunny
-caught up on baby thank you cards
-caught up on our Christmas scrapbook
-made and set summer greeting cards
-addressed birthday cards for the next two months
-knitted a 1st birthday hat for Sophie
-started Nugget's first year digital scrapbook
-caught up on my knitting journal
-managed to knit about 10 rows of Nugget's sheep blanket

Here are some pictures to show the fruits of my labor:


Additionally, I've started a new online scrapbooking class to jump-start me back into scrapbooking...I miss creating layouts so much and tend to get caught up with making cards and gifts that I end up never making pages. Anyway, I've already done four layouts and here they are:


I love feeling productive!!

Fantasy Camp - the last installment

Since I'm in catch-up mode, here are the last pictures of Fantasy Camp that I hadn't posted. These are the professional pictures that were taken all week. Enjoy!

Nursery Pictures

At long last, here are the pictures of our nursery. We are so proud of how it turned out, and owe many thanks to Grammy and Granddaddy Ludwig for all of their help with painting, electrical, hanging things, etc. We hope you love it!

38 Week Update

It has been 8 weeks since my last pictures - oops! Time has flown!



I don't even know where to start!

My gestational diabetes is well under control and I was released from the perinatologist after only two visits. Dr. Heit is very happy with my progress and as of today, I'm two pounds above my pre-pregnancy weight.

The only side effect I've been having is my feet swelling at night. Aaron's nicknames for me are "Michelin Man" and "Cankles." LOL! Luckily once I go to bed, the next morning I am back to normal. Then the whole process starts over again and I'm puffed up by mid-afternoon. My Crocs are even too tight! I have switched to the Crocs flip-flops (in pink and orange, my favorite colors) and they are great.

We're at the OB's office twice a week right now - Tuesdays are for checkups with Dr. Heit and non-stress tests; Fridays are for non-stress tests. Basically, I have a heart monitor placed on my belly for 20 minutes while they measure heart rate and activity levels. Sometimes Nugget cooperates and moves and shakes the whole time...other times, the nurse breaks out the COWBELL (yes, you read that right...I am waiting for Christopher Walken to appear at any moment) and basically tries to disturb the baby as much as possible to make him/her move. It's fun to hear the heartbeat for that long and we've been passing our tests with flying colors each time.

Nugget's favorite activities include hiccups about 4 times a day, and pushing his or her little butt up as far into my ribs as possible! It's too funny - out of the blue I'll have this mound rise up out of my belly for a few minutes, then sink back down.

Today we had an ultrasound to determine Nugget's size. Since moms with gestational diabetes can make really.big.babies, they've been keeping a close eye on us. It was so awesome to see Nugget's little face - definitely looking like a BABY now and not a weird alien life form:



The top picture is a profile with hand up by the mouth. The bottom picture is head-on - hopefully you can see those sweet chubby cheeks!! The ultrasound indicated that Nugget currently weighs 7 pounds, 6 ounces and the head is about 12" in circumference. Sounds big, huh!? Well, that size is the 54th percentile, so s/he is a totally average-sized baby. More than likely, we're looking at about 8.5 pounds at birth.

Speaking of, if I haven't gone into labor by the 17th (which at this point is probably what will happen - I'm 50% effaced but not dilated at all), we'll check into the hospital Monday evening the 16th and I'll be induced Tuesday morning the 17th at 7am. I'll keep you posted!

All in all, I can't tell you what a great experience this has been. We've really been blessed with an easy pregnancy and it's much more fun than I thought it would be! Coming soon are nursery pictures (Uncle Mike, thanks for your patience!)

Lots of love from all of the APs!

Congratulations Aaron

Today, Aaron was named as his PD's Tactical Team Dispatcher. Way to go, sweetheart! I'm very proud of you!

Score Update: Laziness 3, Productivity 0

So I won't mention names, but someone who lives here gave me a cold so I've spent the last three days in bed. Thank goodness for wireless internet and knitting to keep me occupied!

Done.

So as of tonight, I am done teaching until August. It is all a bit strange, this "having no direction" until the Nugget is born. Other than semester breaks, this is the first time in 8 years that I haven't worked 6-day weeks. I am torn between wanting to get a million things done and wanting to do nothing but lay on the couch, knit, and play Guitar Hero. Hopefully I can find a healthy balance. Whatever doesn't get done, doesn't get done.

I'll have Aaron take a picture this weekend and do my 36 week update. It is so hard to believe that we are literally days away from meeting our Nugget!

Please have a safe and happy Memorial Day!

Those Knitters...

The sweet girls I knit with each Sunday morning surprised me today with a lovely breakfast at the Bluebird Bistro and this amazing collection of knitted toys for the Nugget!

They are so thoughtful - knowing how obsessed I am with knitted toys! From AmyB - a panda; from Kate - a pig; from Amanda - a duck; from Missy - a turtle; from Ginger - a bluebird; and from Melissa - Squarey. All of my new little friends look so cute in Nugget's room. I can't wait for our little one to cuddle and love on these precious toys!!

Thanks, girls...you are a highlight of my life!

Tick Tock...

So we had an eye-opening experience this week when we bought milk that expires on my due date! Crazy...

Crazy that one month from today (or in that vicinity) we will be parents.
Crazy that we will finally know if we're having a boy or a girl.
Crazy that our lives will never be the same...

I can't wait!

Thanks, Mom...

In a previous post, I alluded to the fact that I didn't always know if I wanted to have kids. I'd promised to share the story and thought that Mother's Day would be the perfect time...

Eight years ago, I was going through a tough time. I was enduring the end of a five-year relationship whose end made me question my core values and exactly what my purpose on this planet was.

One day, my mom and I were discussing children and I let her know what my views were. Kids were part of a natural progression. You go to college, you get married, you buy a house, you have kids. It's just something you DO.

She disagreed.

Mom let me know that you have children with someone because you are meant to.

I disagreed.

She said that when she met my dad, she somehow knew that she would have a child with him. Never mind the fact that they were both on separate paths in their life that would not automatically point them in that direction. She knew and had faith.

I still disagreed. {enter stubbornness}

Then, in her wise way that let me know that this time she really did know what she was talking about, she said "This does exist. YOU are proof."

At that point, I agreed to the idea...though I didn't believe it. I told her, "Okay. If that's the way it is supposed to be, I will never even think of having children unless that feeling happens to me." With that statement, I secretly told myself that it would never happen. Over the next three years, I dated a lot and had relationships where I could see a future...but had no feeling of wanting to start a family. And honestly, I was fine with that.

Then there was Aaron.

Within a few weeks of meeting him, I felt it deep within my body and soul that not only did I have to spend the rest of my life with him, I had to have his babies.

So here we are. Just over a month from meeting this blessing from God, a product of our love for one another. Even now, after more than five years together, I still find myself saying, so this is how it is supposed to be.

Thanks, Mom...you were right:)

Shower Pictures

Here are pictures from the shower Heather and her mom Janis threw for us a few weeks ago. It was so wonderful spending time with family and dear friends! Many thanks to everyone who came from near and far. We love you!!

Dear McDonald's Southern Style Chicken Sandwich,

I had a coupon to try one of you free, so I stopped by today for a taste. When I opened your packaging, you looked strangely familiar. Smooth bun, soft breading, and two pickles. Now I understand, you poor thing...you're having Chick-fil-A envy!

I don't blame you, really. Who wouldn't want to be my favorite sandwich on the planet? Problem is, you fall short. WAY short.

Thanks for trying.
Sincerely,
Amy

A note from Aggie

Dear Mother and Father,
Since you have neglected to "tag" me, I have taken it upon myself to gift you with my own list...

Ten Random Things About Agatha Helen Pennington, composed by Agatha Helen Pennington, with illustrations by Agatha Helen Pennington

1. I am regrettably missing one of my front long teeth, and part of my tail was lopped off at some point in my life. I refuse to tell my "parents" how these injuries occurred.


2. I wag my tail like I am a canine, though I'm not nearly as stupid as one.


3. I have way too much napping to do, therefore toys, catnip, miscellaneous dangling objects, etc. are of no use to me. Stop wasting your money and buy me some salmon.


4. My favorite hobby is staring intently at my Fiestaware food bowl in hopes that it will be magically replenished with crunchy nuggets of goodness.


5. When Father starts banging on his drums like a prehistoric caveman, I look annoyingly at Mother and audibly share my displeasure in her poor choice of Christmas presents.


6. I am continually annoyed by the alien being in Mother's midsection, who chooses to punch and kick me while I am trying to enter my dormant phase.


7. My ongoing efforts to harm my guardians by circling closely around their feet have previously proven unsuccessful. I must devise a new and improved master plan.


8. Mother had chosen "Annabelle" for my name before she rescued me. However, Grammy Ludwig advised that Annabelle did not accurately portray my attitudinal tendencies. Mother then decided upon Agatha, and my middle name is Helen, after Mother's grandmother. Supposedly we have the same green eyes.


9. One of my favorite activities is obsessively covering anything in sight, such as food, my litter box, vomit, and foul-smelling gifts I leave my captors when I am displeased with their behavior.


10. Though I come across as having an attitude, really all I want in life is to cuddle with my parents. Where they go is where I want to go!

Kindermusik Shower Pictures

I'm way behind on these - here are pictures from the shower my friend Angela threw me and my Kindermusik families attended. We had such a great time.
My favorite gift by far was the photo album filled with cards and pictures made by my students. Definitely ask me to see it next time you come over!!

Fantasy Camp Reunion

Sunday was Aaron's Fantasy Camp Reunion at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals provided a tent and lunch before the game and it was really cool meeting all of Aaron's teammates and new friends. Before the game, the campers were recognized on the field, and Aaron was on the Jumbotron! Pretty cool:) Here are pictures - hope you enjoy them!

Abracadabra

Aaron and my mom have been painting Nugget's room, so I thought I'd share the progress they have made!

Before:


After walls:

After woodwork is painted:

Mom has also finished the bedding, so we will start moving furniture in and getting things put together! We can't wait for you to see the room in person. It's going to be darling!!

How to brighten my day

There are many ways to brighten my day...and one of them happens to be flowers. I love this time of year, when everything is fresh and new, colorful and happy.

Many thanks to my Bever girls (fabulous piano students) for bringing these tulips to lessons last Thursday. Their presence alone always brightens my day, but these tulips were an extra added treat. I hope something special brightens your day today!

I've been tagged again...

50 fun questions, tagged by my sis Jeffier...

1) Do you like bleu cheese? Yes...am totally missing it during pregnancy...
2) Have you ever smoked herion? I can't believe that's even a question!
3) Do you own a gun? only a pink toy one that I use to shoot annoying drivers
4) what flavor do you add in your drink at Sonic? lime or chocolate
5) Do you get nervous before Dr appts? Not normally
6) What do you think of hotdogs? I think they're yucky
7) Favorite Christmas song? Silent Night
8) What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Orange or apple juice...another thing I'm missing
9) Can you do push-ups? I prefer not to even try
10) Can you do a chin up? see answer for question 9
11) What is your favorite piece of jewelry? Can't choose just one...My Grandma Sitton's pearls, my engagement ring, my Aunt Lessie's wedding band (which I use for my wedding band), and the diamond earring I wear in my left second hole...my dad gave the pair to my mom when she was pregnant with me.
12) Favorite hobby? Knitting and Scrapbooking
13) Ever been in a car wreck? a couple
14) Do you have ADD? probably
15) What is one trait you love about yourself? Loyalty
16) Middle Name? Louise
17) Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? Starting to get tired, I miss Aaron (he just left for work), and I love feeling Nugget kick
18) Name three things you bought yesterday? Believe it or not, I didn't buy ANYTHING yesterday
19) Name three drinks you regularly drink? Water, Perrier, Horizon Organic Skim Milk
20) Current worry? There are never enough hours in any given day
21) Current hate right now? When people see something crafty or creative that I do and say "Just wait until the baby comes. You'll never do that again."
22) How did you bring in the New Year? I can't remember! I was probably asleep
23) Where would you like to go? to see my grandparents in Texas
24) Name three people that will complete this? hopefully everyone
25) Do you own slippers? nope, I'm a barefoot girl
26) What shirt are you wearing? teal blue nightshirt
27) do you like sleeping on satin sheets? never tried...seems shady
28) Can you whistle? not at all
29) Would you be a pirate? no, they always look dirty
30) What songs do you sing in the shower? none
31) Favorite girls name? Give you a hint...starts with A
32) Favorite boys name? see #31
33) What is in your pocket? no pockets
34) Last thing that made you laugh? morons at childbirth class today
35) Best bed sheets as a child? flannel. Still love them
36) Worst injury you've ever had? dislocated shoulder
37) Do you love where you live? I do!
38) How many TV's do you have in your home? 5 I think
39) Who is your loudest friend? that's a tough one, probably Rhonda
40) How many dogs do you have? none, except our honorary Max the Wonder Dog
41) Does someone have a crush on you? doubtful
42) What is your favorite book? Green Eggs & Ham, and pretty much any knitting book
43) What is your favorite candy? Twizzlers, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
44) What song do you want played at your funeral? I'll Fly Away (church hymn) or When I Get Where I'm Going (Brad Paisley)
45) What is your favorite sports team? KU Jayhawks, KC Royals
46) What were you doing at 12:00 a.m. this morning? just getting to bed
47) What was the first thing you thought when you woke up? crap, my alarm didn't go off
48) What do you sleep in? normally a t-shirt, and flannel pj pants if I'm cold
49) What is your favorite all time movie? Say Anything, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, When Harry Met Sally
50) If you could do one thing over in your life what would it be? I would try to get better grades in school

OK I know it's long but now I'm tagging my same girls...Heather, Laura, Ginger, and new blogger Missy :) (I promise not to tag you again for a while!)

Overwhelmed

I have been a bad blogger:( I have so much to talk about...but it's been a very overwhelming couple of weeks. Between now and May 10, I have over 20 Kindermusik classes ending, a piano recital with 40 students performing, and wrapping up countless hours of meeting with my repertoire committee for the 2009 KCMTA Multi-Piano concert that I'm chairing...not to mention OB appointments, childbirth classes, shower thank-you notes...you get the idea. Thanks for your patience...I promise to start blogging more soon!

In the meantime, I thought I'd share with you a picture of Aggie's favorite resting spot. It is pretty funny to watch the Nugget kick and punch her (I keep telling her that I'm not doing it!).

30 Week Update

Sorry this has taken so long to post! We are on the downhill slope...10 weeks to go!

It has been one of the harder months emotionally, as I found out a few weeks ago I have gestational diabetes. This can affect the size of the baby and I've been put on a strict diet, along with the requirement to test my blood between 4-7 times daily. Having GD has nothing to do with any eating habits or behaviors I had before - it just has to do with the way my hormones are reacting to the pregnancy. Still, I had a hard time adjusting to the fact that something was "wrong." Since then, I've seen a dietitian, diabetic nurse, my OB twice, and a perinatologist, and they are all thrilled with how well I'm doing on the diet and with my levels. I feel great - honestly, the way I'm eating right now is the way everyone should eat on a regular basis. In the grand scheme of things, I am very lucky to be having such an easy pregnancy.

This month, I gained three pounds but lost it right back due to the new (read: NO ICE CREAM) diet. I'm measuring at 30cm and right now am still scheduled for a mid-June arrival! At 36 weeks, I'll have another ultrasound to measure the size of the baby and make sure s/he is not getting too big. At that point, they'll be able to update my due date if needed.

Things are really starting to come together...we've started on the nursery (pics soon) and organizing all of the wonderful gifts we've received. With each passing day, I am more and more thankful for an amazing husband, four incredible parents, wonderful siblings and extended family, and cherished friends and piano/Kindermusik families. I am blessed that you are here to share in this miracle with me!!!