Tummy Time

This baby loves tummy time.
He's starting to figure things out real quick.
... if I cry, then I get to cuddle with mom and dad.

My Sister, Whitney

Last night was a very sad night. I said goodbye to my beautiful intelligent big sister/best friend. Her and her husband Josh loaded up a U-Haul and took off to Nashville Tennessee early this morning. Whitney will be finishing up her masters degree at the prestigious Vanderbilt University.

Saying goodbye is a very hard thing to do. No longer will I get a call to pick her up from work and go grab some lunch together. And no one to lend my car to or drive down the street and just pop in to say a hello. No one to run into in the produce section at the Fry's down the street.

At least I know she will endure a wonderful new experience.

We wish her and Josh the best.

My Boys

The only thing that separates these two are feedings.

Oh I love them so much.

<3

Motherhood

I am loving motherhood.
It's hard to do anything other than stare at him and want to smother him with love.

Sufjan Stevens

Love love love this song.

All the Love in the World

We want to thank everyone for all of their love, help and support.

These past few days have been so overwhelming to all of us and there are just too many people to see and meet while at the same time trying to adjust to our new life and everything that comes along with it (mostly feedings) . But we really appreciate everything everyone has done for us and hope to get in some good quality time with everyone.

It means so very much to us.

<3

Truly Blessed

This is Owyn Joseph G.
He was born July 21 at 6:51pm.

He is the best baby. I never knew they came this good. Or cute.
He doesn't cry a single bit. Nothing bothers this kid.
He is so alert (when he is awake) and has the pretiest eyes that observe everything.
Only problem- he'd way rather sleep than eat.

I was truly blessed with a perfect child bearing body.

We checked into the birthing center Monday night to be induced. They put medication on my cervix to soften it and sent us to bed. At 7am Tuesday morning the doctor stopped by to break my water and put me on Pitocin to speed up my contractions.

Unfortunately it was taking a while and Owyn's heart beat was dropping with every contraction so they stopped the meds for a while. After a couple hours they started it back up and he seemed to be doing better.

But.. the contractions were still too far apart and I was staying at 6cm so we started talking about having a C-section.

The doctor gave it a little bit of time and the next time they checked my cervix I was 10cm and Owyn's head was starting to pop out!

(Side note- Epidurals are the best thing in the world! I didn't feel a thing and had serious giggles during the entire labor.)

The doctor came in and I only had to push through 5 or 6 contractions and my precious angel was laying on my tummy.

And that night after delivery Dave let me sleep through the entire night and handled the baby and the nurses all on his own.

Ready for Delivery

We are checking in to have our baby tomorrow!
I cannot wait. Our bags are packed and we are more ready than ever.

Dave painted my toes (since i can't reach) so my leg holder helpers will have something pretty to look at. And if my feet get cold, I'll be wearing my favorite socks.

Our baby has the smallest clothes I've ever seen. He's gonna have to wear clothes that fit 5-8 lbs. That's not that easy to find. Everything that is 0-3 months is 8-12 lbs. That just only makes him even cuter.

I had to pack the strangest things.
Nursing (sleeping) bra (who knew there was a different nursing bra just for sleeping?),
nursing pads,
lot's of head bands of course,
suckers (for my own pleasure),
a portable fan (because I have to have a constant breeze on me),
maxi pads (embarrassing!),
dvd's,
ipod,
chap stick,
going home outfit,
laboring outfit,
and my own lucky monitor straps I used at the hospital last.

Wish us luck! I'll be back soon to introduce you to my precious son.

Nordies Anniversary Sale

Oh what a great time of year. The anniversary sale.

And a 0 balance on my Nordstrom Credit card. Oh the temptations.

Preparing for a baby to come in just a few days and I can still obsess about shopping.

Sick?
Not at all.
Love.

Nesting Gettin Serious

I have been doing some serious nesting around here.

Now that the baby is coming in less than one week I have been trying to complete an entire half semester of two courses. All is going well. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you're determined. All I want is to finish these courses without asking for any "special exceptions".

If I am not doing homework, or hanging out with mom since she's in town, i am folding baby clothes, buying little odds and ends, putting together the diaper bag and birth bag. The other day me and mom went and got nursing bras and an outfit I can wear during labor and delivery. A super cute one i might add. Pretty delicate pink gown with a matching robe. I can't wait to wear it!

Pretty exciting stuff.

The end to this is coming very soon and our new life will then begin.

One Week Left!!

We went in to the doctor today and everything was fine. No progress.

Then, I reminded her about the U/S so she called for the results, came back and told us our baby is too small and we need to be induced MONDAY!

I'm going to be a mommy in 1 week!

Let's hope this baby is healthy.

I was sent into the hospital today to get monitored and I will go again on Friday.

The induction is Monday at 8:00pm.

Mom is getting herself on the plane tonight. :)

And let's pray my grandma gets out of the hospital on time to meet her 1st great grandchild when he is born.

This Hot Summer Weekend

This weekend was a hot one. I am so glad it's almost over.

Saturday Dave had his daddy boot camp class. I think he really enjoyed it. He came home and showed me everything he learned. Using a teddy bear. He learned all about changing the baby, swaddling him, baby proofing, feeding, bonding, discipline, and even some good advise for our relationship and how to work together. I love these classes and I love how involved he is. It makes me feel more at ease.

^Dave changed this bear's diaper and swaddled him up to show me his skills^

Saturday night we went on a little date to see the Pixar movie Up that I've been wanting to see. I loved it. I'm not totally sure whether it was the movie or popcorn I really wanted. Yumm.

After the movie we stopped at the store so Dave could get some wine and he surprised me flowers <3.

We are still doing a bunch of stuff around this place of ours. It's never ending.

Remember the Dr. Seuss sketches I made for the baby? Well we framed them and put them up. I love them.

Now I have a 10pg. research paper to work on which I have been blowing off all weekend and a delicious German meal to eat made by Dave's mom. :)

Little Baby Barnslig

I made the baby a mobile yesterday. I think I still want to add more to it. I just got anxious.

Our Blue and Orange Room

We're finally finished with our room. For now. :)

*Notice the bamboo stick Dave keeps on his side of the bed. Just in case any idiots decide to come mess with us. What's the need for a gun when you have a bamboo stick?

I am still working on a few projects in the living room and the baby room, so once I am done I will post pictures of them.

My Small Baby

Look how cute he is sucking on his hand <3

Well we had our follow up U/S today to make sure our baby is growing. Looks like he is, but not by much. He has slowed even more and is not in the 11th percentile. Poor little guy. He is weighing in at 5lbs. 11oz. Most babies his age should be around 6 1/2lbs.

Doctor's don't want babies under the 10th percentile, so he's cuttin it real close.

We didn't see the Dr. today but we will on Tuesday and she'll let us know whats going on.

We need to get this baby out so we can feed him! He's obviously not getting much from the placenta.

Am I crazy, or are they?

So lately it seems like everyone is super fertile. Everyone's getting fertilized. I guess that's what happens when the economy is bad. People get it on and have babies. I don't get it at all. Maybe since less people are working they are less tired and have more energy to do so?

Anyways, I see many old friends or acquaintances in the same situation as me. It's all over facebook.

Ooops. I'm pregnant. At first this did not make me jump for joy. I was like oh crap what now. Luckily I have a great support system and made my ooops with such a wonderful man.

I don't know if they just don't talk about their real feelings openly, or if they are a little crazy and living in some fairy tale. Or maybe I am the crazy one. They act as if they not afraid of anything. I have even asked, "aren't you nervous?" "aren't you afraid of labor?" and they laugh and say no.

Don't get me wrong, now that we've figured everything out things have been very exciting and I am super happy 97% of the time. Although it wasn't planned we are prepared and feel extremely blessed. We even pretend to put the baby to sleep in his crib sometimes and tickle his belly. " night night baby Barnslig" ( it's a baby line at IKEA we thought was funny so now we call him baby Barnslig). Weird I know. It's all Dave.

Now as you all know, I sometimes go through rough patches. Little anxiety moments. Just as anyone would expect right? I mean I am young and my entire life has changed and is only going to change even more. forever. everything. My future plans I had, finishing school, my body, my relationship with Dave, my relationship with friends. Motherhood changes women. They say a woman has to completely reinvent herself after she becomes a mom. And then I worry if I'll be a good mom.

Every mom I talk to has felt this way.

I see myself as the type who keeps her crap together and see's life realistically. I have little fall out moments and I suck it up and move on. I do what I have to do. Survival mode. But these things do worry me. And I can admit that. I know everything will be so amazing, but I am a little scared. And if any other fertile mertiles want to step away from their perfect glowing lives for a moment to talk about getting fat and leaking "N's", I am totally down.

And come on. Who is not nervous for labor? Do they know what happens? I took that birthing class and it is not a couple quick pushes and your sweet little baby is out and life is perfect.

Summer Salad

It's been awhile since I've posted a recipe. I figured I would start doing one once a week since I am always trying and creating new ones. And many of my readers like trying recipes I post. Surprisingly.

I found this recipe from Martha Stewart everyday food. I added cilantro just because we love cilantro and chicken to make it a meal.

It was delicious and a great meal for me since I've been suffering with heart burn every night.

• 1/2 head romaine lettuce, cut into 1/2-inch strips
• 2 cups fresh corn kernels
• 1/4 cup cilantro
  
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and cubed
• 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• Coarse salt and ground pepper

1. In a bowl combine the romaine, corn, cilantro, and cherry tomatoes.
2. Add 3/4 cup of avocado. Place the remaining avocado in a blender along with 1/3 cup water, lime juice, and chili powder; season with salt and pepper.
3. Pour dressing over the salad; toss gently.

Our New Home

Here are some pictures of the areas that are mostly complete in our new home we've put together.

The living room. Dave loves his maps.

also living room

Baby room/Guest bed

Loosing It

I've seem to have lost my mind.

If anyone knows where I might have left it, please let me know.

I have been so stressed and uncomfortable that I've been acting a little crazy. Not myself. We have been so busy trying to set up the new place, prepare for baby, try to finish up classes early before the he comes and I am so ready to just hold him in my arms. On top of everything, I feel like someone is always expecting something out either me or Dave. Well, mostly Dave, but I need a lot right now. I am so afraid we aren't going to have enough time together alone before the baby comes, or after to bond as a family before Dave goes back to work.

My poor sister and mom have been seeing this new crazy side of me a lot lately. Most times I talk to Whitney recently I go ramble on, say a couple bad words and she sits there in silence. I know she's thinking what a crazy.

I've even started thinking about not telling anyone when I go into labor. Just running away and telling people when it's over. Of course, I probably won't do that, but it wouldn't be a bad idea.

One of these days, or weekends, I am going to lock ourselves in the house, turn off our phones and computers and do nothing. We've attempted this before. It's harder than you'd think. Oh how nice it would be though.

I just want myself back.

Dave and I had a little fun with the camera
today laying on the floor waiting for the paint projects to dry.

Before & After

One of our projects we completed this weekend.

Many more to come.