Getting Started

I'm starting a new blog for family and friends to keep up with the events of our lives as we move into the realm of parenthood. I will post announcements, pictures, and observations here about the baby girl who will soon be joining our family.

I can't take credit for this idea. I have been lurking on the blog of an old friend for a while, and I have enjoyed the adorable photos and stories so much that I decided to do the same. Check out Sarah's blog about her life as the mother of a four-year-old and one-year-old triplets here: http://www.the6kaisers.blogspot.com/.

I also keep a MySpace page and occasional blog (www.myspace.com/kbduus), but I intend to keep that site for myself, and use this space for all things baby. This way, grandparents, great-grandparents, and other family and friends can stay up-to-date on pictures and notes as we make the transition from a twosome to a threesome. You can subscribe to this blog so that you receive email notifications when I create a new post.

Right now, I am about to start my 34th week of pregnancy. So far, most doctor's visits have been normal, with just a small jump in blood pressure a few weeks ago that went back to normal in the two subsequent visits. My next doctor's appointment will be on June 26.

Hank and I spent a crazy weekend getting our house in order. We have been so incredibly busy, and I have had so little energy when I have come home from work, that the house had really gotten out of shape. We were drowning in laundry, unfinished house projects, baby gifts that needed to be put away, and dishes. Hank, Mike, Matt, and their dad helped us immeasurably yesterday by moving furniture from the office downstairs and tearing out the carpet. Hank is sad that his "office" will now be a "guest room," but I think he is also relieved to be out of what had become the messiest room in the house.

The nursery is almost done and we have put most things away. Mike really loved seeing the baby clothes hanging in the closet yesterday. I will post pictures tomorrow.

I will also make an effort to post ultrasounds and pictures of my belly tomorrow. Lots of people have been begging to see these pics, and I figure here is as good a place to show them off as any.

Speaking of my belly, Matt told me this weekend that I look like I am about to pop. All of my interactions go back and forth between people who tell me I look smaller or larger than what my actual gestational age is. Matt also asked how I am feeling, as in, what is the sensation like? He said he imagined it's like feeling really, really full or bloated. I had to laugh at that one!

Truthfully, I have tried very hard to stay positive about how I am feeling. Obviously, there are certain discomforts and pains of pregnancy, and I am trying to take them in stride. I also know that I have had a pretty easy 34 weeks, all things considered. The last few weeks, however, have become much more brutal. I am having lots of swelling in my feet and ankles (sexy!), and my feet and hips really hurt. I also just don't have much energy, and sometimes sleep isn't easy to get. The heat has also been brutal, and I sweat like crazy! At this point, I am really starting to feel like I can't wait for this pregnancy to be over!