Days Go By

"Days Go By" - Keith Urban

Good morning.  I've been up since 6 o'clock.  I figured I might as well, with having to pee for the third time since midnight, and the kitties charging up and down the hallway.  They found one of my old makeup brushes.  Seriously, they should join the circus with the flips and tricks they do with that thing.  I knew I was destined to not fall back asleep when I attempted to get back in bed and accidentally poked Steve directly in his right eye.  I laughed hysterically.  Him, not so much.

 It's been a productive one so far and I'm feeling the urge to nest.nest.nest today.  Everything is coming together so nicely.  Each day we check more items off our list and each day this week I've announced "I'm 34 weeks and _ days!"  The days are flying.  And it's my goal to make the best of this last month-ish.  I finished cleaning (offices, not the house...hence the nesting) last Sunday.

I'm so very thankful for all this energy/crazy pregnant lady adrenaline. 

I remember when I first became pregnant, and even towards the middle of my pregnancy, wondering how long I'd "make it" with the cleaning.  My goal was to try to get to 30 weeks.  And I made it to 34.  As much as I'd come home sometimes and complain about my achin' back or moan like a seacow during the 893 times I had to bend at each office, I'm so glad I was able to continue my job these past eight months.  There's no doubt it kept me in shape and helped me keep super active.  There was only one week since summertime my boss didn't ask for extra help.  And every time I said yes...partly because I have a hard time saying no, partly because of the extra money and also, because "why not?" 

 So now, I take this time to really relax, finish up all the little finishing touches and nest whenever I please.  Now, I'm really feeling like I'm gonna be a mama.  It's been my dream to be a mom - a "stay at home mom" for a very long time.  And with my kinda job, it allows me to.  The plan is for me to go back part-time come mid-July.  I'll clean 2 nights a week (a few offices on each of those nights) while Steve gets some one-on-one time with Little Miss.  And a few more offices that I can clean whenever I want between Friday and Sunday.  Flexibility - another thing I'm thankful for.

So, here I sit...1 day away from 35 weeks.  15 days away from full-term. 

5 weeks away from my due date.

  I'm, of course, more than excited about what's to come.  But right now, I want nothing more than to take in these last 5 weeks (or however long until her debut) and savor every single minute.

<3

The past week...

Last Thursday, Jessica and I had a sleepover.  We started the night a little later.  She arrived with her overnight bag around 8:30 and bedtime didn't hit until ten hours later.  Yes, around 6:30, when the light started shining through the blinds.  We far surpassed our last sleepovers bedtime.  What did we do in those ten hours - talk.talk.talk. of course.  I mean, we had important things to discuss...

Like, one hit wonders from the 80's, ham sandwiches, how many brownies we should add to our sundaes and whether or not the kitties were going to attack her head in the middle of the night (or should I say, morning).

We woke up starving for breakfast lunch.  Mr. Chibbs wouldn't stop hoggin' the menu.

We lounged in our pjs all day...until Steve came home from work.

It was wonderful.

Kim got me this amazing shirt (from the little girl's section) for my birthday last year.  I had to wear it while 34 weeks pregnant.  If it was ever gonna fit, surely while in my third trimester was the time.

<3

Last Saturday, it was on (like donkey kong).  Steve woke up early and went out to rent a steam cleaner.  He steam cleaned the carpets up and downstairs all day while I lost myself in the kitchen - cleaning out and organizing every cabinet and drawer.  Pulling apart the fridge and scrubbing every inch of it along with the dishwasher, stove and microwave.  I was on a mission.  And I couldn't stop. 

Monday, Jessica and I spent the day with Kelly and her babes. 

It was the perfect way to spend the dreary day. 

We ordered take-out and caught up while the munchkins napped.

And when Addison woke up, energized and in a completely different outfit than she took her nap in...

there was dancing to be had.

She took Jessica's hand and they did the tango 92 times in a row. 

Look at her excitement!  (and her amazing get-up).

She performed a medley of songs/dances.  Including, her top favorites, "Firework," "Call Me Maybe," and "Somebody That I Used To Know."

It was a nice little afternoon.

<3

Monday night, we had pizza at my mom's.  Pepperoni and ham for Steve.  Mushrooms and peppers for my mom and I. 

***

Tuesday, I got another dose of the munchkins.  I knew this might be the last time I babysat Addison, Chloe and Daxon before we throw baby girl in the mix. 

These babes have brightened my days the past few years.  And without realizing, taught me so much and inspired me to keep on going and keep on fightin' for our dreams. 

And now, here I am, about a month away from meeting my daughter.  They make me even more excited for baby girl's arrival.

Not even one minute passed after their mama left, and they were already asking to play "makeup."

I couldn't say no.  We agreed on lipgloss, blush and eyeshadow.  (And them letting me attack their faces with baby wipes afterwards.)

Chloe loved the lipgloss.  She even managed to get some up her right nostril.

Addison found my necklace in my purse.  She's borrowing it this week.

Though the rule was "no eyeliner" for the girls, I had to say yes to them making Mimi into a cat.

Next up, was hairdresser time.

Even Daxon got in on it. 

And then, a game that Mimi had trouble understanding.  Those directions can be tough for a thirty-year-old.

Mr. Daxon was pooped and missing his mommy.  We rocked for a while until he fell asleep, leaving a sweet pool of drool on my sleeve.  <3

I love those kids.

 ***

Later that night...tons of laundry.  The urge came to wash and organize every single piece of baby girl's belongings - clothes, socks, blankets, burp clothes, sheets, hats, bibs, washclothes - all laid out in front of the washer and dryer and ready to smell like sweet baby detergent.  I stayed up until 3 washing and putting her clothes away.  Hangers are hung with adorable pieces I can't wait to see her in.  Clothes are folded and put away in size order. 

How stinkin' cute are these newborn-sized jeggings from Kelly?!

I almost tried them on Muffin.

***

Veronica and Kerry came for a visit on Wednesday.  That little girl loves cats.  She chased them all over the house.  Begged for them to come downstairs.  And when they did, followed them every which way they went. 

***

Lots and lots of thanks to wonderful friends for their kind and thoughtful gifts...

and most of all, for their love and support.

M sent these super cute, bright outfits.  They went right into baby girl's nine month clothes collection.

Jennifer sent this soft and warm jacket - baby girl's first.

  I'm in love with the pattern and colors.

<3

Valentine's Day morning, I woke up and made a cup of tea (my mom's got me hooked on apple cinnamon tea).  She sent over brownie batter-filled donuts.  I usually try to eat a healthy breakfast, but given the day, I decided pastry and chocolate fried goodness was the way to go.

I made cupcakes for my favorite Cinnie.

Muffin was enthralled with my flowers from Mr.  This is #57 of the 344 photos I took of her batting at the leaves and stems.

Steve cooked an incredible dinner.  I broke out our dollar store Valentine's Day plates from our very first V-day together and we parked it in the living room while watching American Idol.

That would be my bump in the way.

The day was filled with love.  Just as every day should be.

<3

Yesterday was tons of fun.  My mom, Karen and I had been looking forward to it all week.  We were all in need of a girls' day/night.  We started at Costco and paraded up and down the aisles.  Finding anything and everything that just had to be bought in bulk - some of our favorite purchases - 2 pounds of chia seeds (which filled my mom with glee), a giant tub of shampoo, a 48-pack of Ramen noodles, a bathing suit and a bag of avocados. 

Next, we hit the outlets.  We got our walking in, that's for sure.  We stopped in Gymboree, where I think we said "omygoodness" at least 222 times.  All their winter and holiday pieces were on clearance.  Dee Dee and Aunt Karen spoiled baby girl with outfits for her first winter and Christmastime.  I've walked into this store a bunch of times over the past years for gifts or to browse or just to simply dream.  Last night, the pieces I came home with were for our baby girl.  And from two of the most incredible women in my life. 

It meant a lot.     

After a night of shopping, we headed to see Nicholas at his gig.

We gabbed and ate our blt salads and french onion soup (and embarrassed my brother just a tiny bit with our dancing).

And called it a (great) night around 11.

<3

The days go by.  Make 'em good ones.

Have a sweet weekend, everyone.

Thank you so much for all your loving words on my last post.

I'll be back next week.

And after the next couple entries, will be sharing the rocking chair post

followed by the nursery reveal at the end of this month.  <3

Have a relaxing day.

Lovin' Each Day,