What do you do when you're waiting for a baby?

 Mike's projects:

Chicken kabobs (delish)

Peanut butter cookies

Do you see the chaos of our tiny kitchen??

Sugar cookies

weird colors, I know!

 For those of you wondering about the sugar cookies: I got them from Glamorous Newlyweds and they are quite tasty. But. (yes there is always a but). Sugar cookies and I are not friends. Not even a little bit. Here is what I learned:

1. When told to put something in the fridge, make sure you put some saran wrap around it. Otherwise you break things like fingers and wooden spoons. If you wait for them to warm up, bad things happen.
2. Don't let the cookies get too warm. Once the dough is on the counter, you have limited time! Don't waste it! I have never understood this til now. The dough will only get stickier and I will only get more upset. (There may or may not have been cookie dough on walls from spatula throwing)
3. If they are getting sticky (warm dough, remember?), dip the cookie cutter in flour so each cookie can separate from the rest of the dough. Works wonders.
4. If the dough gets warm, put a chilled cookie sheet  on top.
5. Use a small spatula (either dipped in flour or sprayed with cooking spray) to remove the cookie from the counter in tact. Its no fun to get a perfectly shaped cookie and then just destroy it trying to relocate it.
6. Give your husband a chance - he knows so many random tips!
7. Chilled frosting works just fine. Butter knives aren't my favorite but do the trick.

Do you have any more helpful tips for sugar cookies? I love them - decorating them, eating them, sharing them - but ickkkkk when there is trouble. I'm sure I'll get the courage to make them again... maybe next time I'm overdue? :)

Baby Josephine

She's here! She's wonderful! She's perfect!

Sorry for not posting. But can you blame me? I've been staring at this face as much as possible.

 

We had a lot of visitors in the couple of days we were at the hospital! I got released a day early because we were both doing so well.. I think it was also because everyone else in town decided to have a baby. There were no extra rooms and people swarming around everywhere!

Grandma Lekang

Proud Papa

Her hair looks so light here but it is a little darker. More like my color than Mike's

Uncle Greg

Grandma Deyle

Friend Denise aka "honorary aunt"

Friend Jerri - another honorary aunt!

Her 'going home' outfit from Auntie Lara. I loved the little bow on her shoulder! No mistaking her for a boy

We were waiting to go home at this point

We were going for a family photo but Buck wasn't feeling it... we got a good one with Mike's camera though!

Who wouldn't want a personal guard dog?

Just hanging out

Girl's got some fingernails! Poor surface wounds. She isn't quite used to her flailing hands yet

She was 9 lbs 7 oz and 20.5 inches long. The birth story... how about another time? I'd rather not think about it for now. She's weighing in at about 8 lbs 9 oz now so we have some catching up to do... I was so shocked that she fit in newborn clothes but she really isn't all that chunky. I'm not sure where that weight is hanging out. She just must carry it well :).

Keep an eye out for more posts... I have so many things in my head and no time to type them out!

June 27th?

After another frustrating appointment, we have good news! The date is set. If she doesn't come on her own, I will be induced on Monday morning. I am supposed to call the hospital at 5:30 and get further instructions then. She said that I was more dilated but didn't give me an exact number. At least now I am enough that induction wouldn't be a waste. I guess before I wasn't even dilated enough to try an induction. Crazy how much she wants to stay in there!

I was also told that my stomach is literally all baby. When she measured me, Josie had her head down, and her bum and legs were all the way up in my ribs. She is just reclined in there... No wonder I have trouble breathing or sitting back at all. She's too comfortable I think.

This makes for a long weekend, but I'm ok with that. Just seeing a clear end in sight makes me feel better.

I will be a mom by Tuesday!

And the weather is beautiful. Definitely a PTL moment.

No more siblings.

One of the things that I have keeping me occupied (and this is a little embarrassing so bare with me) is the show Brothers & Sisters. I have watched all 4 seasons on Netflix and am now watching the last episode.  WHAT?? the last one? Now what do I do??

You see, now she HAS to come. I have no idea what to do with my time. Yes I can go walking and clean the house and make food and hang with Buckley. That will take about 3 hours.

Can we all just put our heads down, hands up, and pray together that she comes SOON? Like today? Or tonight? Oh wouldn't that be grand. Plus I've seen numerous people's pictures of their beautiful babies that were all due right around when I was... it just gets me so excited!! I'm so anxious to see her and hold her and be super crazy busy all the time learning about her and taking care of her and loving her. Doesn't that sound like the best thing in the world?

I have to thank those that came to see me yesterday. I had five visitors and it was completely delightful. Lunch date, afternoon date, two evening dates all made for a wonderful day. And I have another today! So thank you all that are entertaining me. I have hardly anything to talk about (that is what happens when you live vicariously through a TV show) and yet everyone is sweet and talks to me about their lives. Its just grand really to have something to focus on like other people's lives. Gracias!

OOk. I should really find something to do. Have a blessed day everyone!

Oh baby baby

Had my 41 week appt today. - I sound thrilled, right?

So depressing! Nothing has changed from last week - not even my weight. Well, I suppose she is bigger and I am more uncomfortable... but other than that she is not planning on coming out any time soon.

My nurse practitioner said that she will talk to my doctor and figure out when we will induce next week...since no progression has been made that is the next step.

My highlights of each day revolve around who I get to see and if anyone has time for me (which everyone is really good about - not a sympathy shout out for company I swear)... sound pathetic? But I have projects done and the house is clean (enough). Going on walks makes me just exhausted and my feet hurt.

The good things out of all of this:

• The bigger she gets, the more I feel every little thing which is absolutely fascinating. Mike swears he could feel her individual toes last night - totally crazy! 
• When she IS born, she will be a healthy size - no preemie problems and she will be completely adorable with rolls everywhere. As my sister says, she needs to be big and chubby because that is when babies are the cutest! 
• I have a lot of time to be bored and anxious, so when she does come and I am super busy, I'll appreciate it that much more.

I'm trying to stay positive because I know that she is completely worth it and it is no time at all before she will be here. Just keep me in your prayers as usual! :)