Belly update.

Some days I feel like I don't look THAT pregnant... others I realize just how large my stomach has gotten. The problem is that I have been around the weight that I am right now, once before in my life. So it's not that unusual for me to sit down and see a couple belly rolls, but this belly is now larger than others in the past and it's much more firm. I think this past size that I used to be might make it seem like I have gained very little for anyone who was used to my size before my jogging last summer. According to my Dr. visit on friday, I am now up to a 20 lb weight gain. I've now got 5 1/2 weeks to go, so I guess ultimately now that I haven't gotten sick for a month, I am finally on schedule for weight gain. The first picture here is my first real pregnancy photoa at 6 weeks... yes, I look awkward. (The other was taken Sept. 30th) It's hard to pose for a pregnancy belly when there's not much there. Looking back, I can't believe how much of a belly was NOT there... It makes me glad I jogged all last summer and it will hopefully keep me inspired to get out there next summer. Right now, I'm lucky if I can get myself off of the couch without assistance....Jogging seems worlds away....

My Shower

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Sunday was my eagerly, anticipated baby shower! I was blessed to have many wonderful friends and family gather around me to celebrate the quickly approaching arrival of my little baby. I was also blessed to come home with a station wagon full of wonderful gifts to pamper our baby with.

Not only did we receive presents from those who were there, but we were amazed by some gifts that showed up from people who couldn't be there... Namely, Charlene who sent a very large and heavy box full of fun and nice things all the way from Rochester! (you rock Charlene)... she sent a scrapbook, a bunny, pj's, lots of kids books, and teething toys, and a box dedicated to... I think Kris? from perhaps her husband Chris?... The box was a diaper changing survival kit, complete with diapers, wipes, air freshener, small garbage bags, GLOVES, clothes pins (to use as nose plugs I presume), and a book called THE POO BOMB. Written by a father about all of the unexpected things he's encountered as a new dad. Kris has already had a ton of laughs reading this book.

We also got a little bit of everything: clothes, stuffed animals and toys, books, bath time gear, bedding, bottle warmers, a pack and play, money for a video camera,.... etc. I don't know how much people who go to showers as a spectator enjoy the events... usually you are forced into playing games that make you feel awkward (here people had to taste test baby food and guess the flavors--as you can see, Kris showed up a bit too early and had to taste too!) but I know for me it was a great time and I really was overjoyed and grateful for everyone who came, everyone who couldn't be there but sent their regards/gifts, and for everything that I have gotten to sit on my living room floor and sort out while dreaming of soon using all of these cute little items with my new baby...

*sigh*

what will she look like in all these outfits?.... how soon will she grow into them or out of them?... how long will these 7 packs of newborns diapers last? ...( maybe a week? *grin*) Was the ultrasound doctor correct in saying she was a girl? (we only have about 2 gender neutral items of clothing....) Everything around us is now pink, which is great..... as long as she's not a HE. Anyway, thank you all for coming and sending your love and gifts... our baby will be blessed to know you all. I can't wait for you all to meet HER.... *please be a HER*Please by a HER* Please be a HER*....

The shower was put on by my mom and Felice and they did a wonderful job. Thanks SOOOO much!! I know it's a lot of hard work.

It's Fall....yeah!

PHOTOS WITH PRODUCE... we considered taking some photos with spinach too but we weren't sure what sense that would make...






This weekend was fun. I had our friend/my brother's friend Kirsten over friday through sunday and since we actually had nice weather we made a day of saturday.... Our morning began with apple picking at Indian Ladder Farms. We bought a 1/2 bushel of huge apples... they were mostly grapefruit sized apples.... and the 1/2 bushel was over flowing by the time we left... when we got home, Kirsten, my brother and I made 3 apple pies and we barely put a dent in the bag of apples!.... I'm going to be making apple things for a long time... So my brother took a bunch of belly shots for me while we were out apple picking and since I'm tired of my generic pregnancy pose, I started acting like a dork... I don't know why I kissed the apple, I was just trying to look... sassy....? And by the way, doesn't my brother look like an albino giraffe eating that apple from the radioactive dead tree? *hehe*

So we also cruised by Thatcher Park since apparently my locally residing brother has never (?) been there.... so we did a mild upper level "hike" from the cliff lookout to the bathrooms... (for me of course.) Took some pictures there (at the lookout, not at the bathrooms...)... and then we finally met up with Kris who had to work and then we went to the Pumpkin Patch together. We got apple cider donuts... cruised the maize maze.... took the hay ride, took some wacky pictures... picked some pumpkins and made a pumpkin display for my next belly photo shoot. It seems that while I am sitting with the pumpkins I look a bit more round than I do while standing up. But what can I expect at 33 weeks...?
As some of you know, fall is my favorite season, so you might guess this was a fun day for me.

The Wedding

Last night my brother and I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Coughtry. The wedding was very sophisticated in colors, decoration, style, and ambiance. The bridesmaids wore chocolate brown and had accents of cool blues and off whites. The dresses were classic in style. The reception tables were assigned not by table number, but by the name of plays the couple had acted in through their high school years together (where they met). The toast of the maid of honor and the best man were both heartfelt, funny, sophisticated and tear jerkers... The tables were adorned with glass globes filled with hand folded origami cranes of brown, off white and teal. The favors were a brown (symbolizing - friendship) crane made into an ornament with a small card that read the significance of the crane and the colors of the cranes in Japanese culture. There was a cheesecake bar, lots of dancing, smiles everywhere and love in the air. They are a picture of true love. There was no doubt in their minds that it was time for them to be married and begin to love each other for the rest of their lives.... In the eyes of the spectators, there was also no doubt. It was obvious to all that they were ready to spend the rest of their lives loving each other.... and it was really a beautiful wedding. Passionate, joyful, loving and fun. Congratulations!

Weight update, like you wanted one....

I went to the doctor yesterday. I told them I suspected I was anemic. She checked my blood and said I was 11.8 (whatever that means) she said the lowest your iron should be is 12.6 so I guess I was right. She gave me samples of a REALLy expensive iron tablet and a script. It's so expensive my insurance she says, may not cover it. If not, she gave me an alternate. At least I have the samples to see if I can even take them without getting sick. Hopefully, it will make me feel more alive. The iron fortified cereals and ...prunes plus... haven't given me enough apparently to get me past 12.6... which makes me wonder, if it did help at all, what would my iron level have been before? Oh, well. This is a boring topic. By the way, I'm I guess 30 weeks plus according to the nurse and she said I've gained no more than 12 pounds! I had a snapple on my way to the doctor and the urine test showed the darkest Ph color it could for "sugar in the urine" so I have to watch out for my sugar intake, even though I did pass the glucose test at 24 weeks. Watching my sugar more (which I have been) should help me gain only healthy weight too.

Tonight, I am getting the heck out of Coby.... and it's not even for a DR. appointment. It seems I never have a night out for socialization... and the best part ..... we're going to the Cheesecake Factory!!! I have been craving this chicken avacado sandwich I had at one in Boston last fall (what if it's been discontinued?? *GASP*)... we finally have the CF restaurant near us!! Essentially, this dining out is not in our budget, but it's a double "first" date for the other couple... Our first date was a double date too.... how could we miss this honor? And, IT'S AT THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY!!!! Woohoo. I can't wait.

Question: Is cheesecake both in our budget, and low in sugar?.... hmmm....