39 weeks preggo

Yes, I'm pregnant, and if you don't know that, I'm surprised...it's pretty much my life right now. We're having a little girl, she is due the 13th of Jan...I cannot believe it's coming up so soon, although I would really like to have her now. I'm done with being pregnant. People have told me to enjoy the time right now because it's not like I'll be able to sleep when she comes, but really? Do you think I'm sleeping well now? Because I'm not. I've really been surprised about what people act like when they are around pregnant women. It's seriously shocking. It's like they think that they can forget all the barriers that should be there. Want some examples? Ok...at work there is a gal who loves being pregnant (ok...that's your choice...), but she constant will stare at my big round stomach when she talks to me. Um, awkward...really awkward. Like, almost as awkward as someone staring at your chest while they talk to you. Also at work a guy (also staring at my stomach) tells me how big and round I am. Oh, ok...you can comment on my stomach, but how about if I stare at your fatness and tell you that you're big and round, huh? Yeah, not acceptable...neither is commenting on my stomach. Why is it acceptable for pretty much every person I see to tell me that I've dropped (or haven't dropped), huh? Tell me that, will you? I have been lucky enough to not have anyone touch my baby belly-thank goodness, but I have heard of this happening a lot. I have a personal bubble and don't need to deal with someone doing that. And why do people do that? Do they expect that the baby all the sudden will kick at their hand? Um, that's not gonna do it. Touch your own belly, k?

Do you want to know the questions people ask, and in what order? 1. When are you due? 2. What are you having? 3. Do you have a name? And in there is also a splattering of: Are you getting an epidural? Are you ready? What's your nursery set up like? I don't mind talking about this little miss, but I am so sick of those questions. Good thing there is only a week left till the due date. I'm seriously contemplating not leaving the house until she comes out. So, I really thought that work would be harder while I was pregnant. Not harder physically, but emotionally. Seeing all those sick babies/kids is hard, but more than anything, around 20-30 weeks I would see those NICU premies and that worried me more than anything. Just that those little guys were the size of the one inside me. But, I've been lucky to have a very uncomplicated pregnancy. I have been lucky at work to be getting a lot of shifts in the NICU. It is the least physically demanding area to work. It's a little harder to squeeze in and out of the little spaces that I used to and sometimes my tummy will catch on edges of vents, cribs and other equipment in there.

So, that was me at 37.5 weeks, I was still feeling pretty good at that point (although sleep was still evading me). But, once I hit 38 weeks...oy! That started the least fun part of pregnancy. This little miss is really stretching and her little feet keep trying to jam out of my right side. I've started getting spasms in my hip flexors, painful to the point where I can't stand on that leg. In this past week the little girl has really dropped and I so totally feel ready for this birth thing to happen. Unfortunately when I last went to the Doc's, I was only dilated to a 1 and my cervix was still "pretty thick". I'm going in again on Tuesday, so hopefully there will be some better and more exciting news, because I am ready. I will say though, that even though I'm complaining a lot here, I am very very very excited to have this little miss and to be a new mommy. Her name you ask? We're not sure, but either thinking Ruby Mae or Anne Marie (I lean more towards Ruby, Vince leans more toward Anne). We'll see what she looks like I guess. The nursery? Well, it's all painted a bright tiffany blue with white furniture and pink accents/wall hangings. And yes...epidural...very much an epidural. I have no grand ambitions of even trying to do it natural. I figure that the science is there, why would you not choose to use it, right? My goal this year is to blog more...so hopefully I will be good =)

Hair color...uncolor

So...I was in Virginia in Aug/Sept with Vince as he finished his BOLC training (not so sure what it stand for, but he is done with training now, so that is good news.

Anyways, while there I got the idea that I should color my hair...so I went red...dark auburn red. But, I was being smart, so I go the wash out...just in case.

Well, I did it, and dried my hair...and I had spots of blonde still. Whoops! So, went back to the store and they were out of the color I got, so had to pick a similar color. Anyways...this is what I got:



So, I started thinking that I would take pictures daily to see the color progression...I got a little lazy after awhile...





This is Vince's graduation...we left right after to drive home..in 3 days, ugh...














Well...by this point I was getting sick of red hair and wanted blonde back, so I was washing my hair like crazy doing crazy things to get out the color quicker. I was looking around the store and found a product called "color oops". The reviews were mostly good, the only thing I was concerned about was my hair not being back at "my" blonde... Anyways, this is how it turned out:




It's a lot darker than my blonde, but I'm liking it; it has some deepness for fall...something like that. It is also getting lighter as time is going by, so I'll be back to platinum sooner or later. Oh, and the side-swept bangs...are full bangs now. Good stuff =)

Well, I have officially been called out on my lack of writing (thanks Sherry). Since I am husband-less for 3 weeks and am not working today, I thought I could take some time to do a life update...

So, husband-less, you may ask... My dear love left yesterday for Portland...a 3 week paid trip by work so he can learn some fabulous new things. Sounds fun, right? Ya...for him! He's getting a mini vacation! Although, I must admit, that later today I'm going in for a massage, tomorrow a pedicure, and then in a couple weeks I'm taking a little Boise trip, so I'm mostly good with it...

Ah, but I haven't really written about my wedding, have I? Oct 9, 2010...a little fabulous ceremony and then we're married. It really was so great to finally be married...I think that was the thought that set off some tears...that it really was finally happening. Such a good feeling.





So, we get married and all....next thing we do, buy a little kitty. We finally named her Peeps...we had the hardest time picking out a name, Vinnie came up with the name when he said he was worried about her "peep and pooping" on the carpet...which she doesn't do. She does however sneeze....all the time... She literally blows snot out of her nose at times. One morning Vinnie and I were getting up and he found dried snot on his neck. Gross! But, I had a good laugh...




I got a job at Primary Children's, which I totally love. I don't know if I could go back to working with adults...they're "gross"...if kids spit-up/poop/ect, it's easier not to gag, you know? It's a little tough to disassociate yourself, but I do pretty well with my emotions until I hear or see family around the kiddo...that makes it a little more real.

Birthday!

It was my birthday yesterday, and since that's the most exciting thing that has happened in a while, I figured I'd write. Goodness. Has it really been since my engagement that I last wrote? Wow!

I'm really 27 now! That seems way too close to 30, which I never thought would come. It's been good though. Every year I like to think back at what I've done and learned over the year, and this past year has been wonderful.

Well, I am in school again...and I am so glad that this semester is almost over. They told us that this is the semester when they loose the most students from the program. I'm hoping that our class won't be loosing anyone. I really enjoy the people that I'm with every day. So, needless to say, I am happy with some of the C's I am getting. As long as I pass, I will feel blessed. I think I just have one more big test in each of my classes and then finals. So, I'm doing pretty well so far.

Vinnie was just able to come up for my birthday. I love seeing him. I wish I could every day. Although, it is kind of nice not having him as a distraction while I'm trying to study. We're able to see each other every 2 or 3 weeks. I'll be going down the Friday before Thanksgiving for a few days and then again the beginning of December for a formal dinner for his reserve unit.

Speaking of his reserve unit/army stuff, Vinnie got his new go-date for basic. He'll be shipping out of Jan 12, so he should be done the end of March. Then he'll be gone again in July for OCS, and then I'll have a little officer guy to marry. It'll be good though, I can go live in the place he bought while he's off at OCS. We're thinking our wedding will be either Sept 25 or Oct 9, but we'll see. Still not sure. I've decided to put off wedding planning till after I graduate so I can concentrate on school (I tried to do both and was getting pretty stressed out).

(this is a picture from today. I don't know why, but Vinnie thinks it's so funny to squish my lips together)

So, next up is finishing the semester and then having a wonderful month long break before I get into my last semester. I'm so excited to be so close. I can't wait to have a real job making grown-up money! I really wish that I had started this program much earlier. I feel like I could write a book on how to not plan your education. I'm glad I finally figured it out though!

Engaged!

So, Vinnie and I went to the OR coast for my family reunion (my parents/siblings). Obviously things went well....we got engaged on Saturday! We went down to Beverly Beach with the entire family. This first picture is out looking at tide pools. In the background you can see seals. It was a chilly day with a lot of wind, but the coast is great no matter what!

So, anyways....story...after looking at the tide pools, we walked over to the other side of the beach that was all sandy. The kids were all digging in the sand and playing in the very cold ocean and a shallow pool area. Lindsey (a niece) wanted to be buried in the sand, so we told her to start digging a hole to lay in and we'd cover her up. Vinnie wanted to go on a walk while we were waiting for Lindsey. So we started to walk along and found a bunch of drift wood....drift logs...and sat down. We were chatting for a bit and Vinnie came in front of me, on a knee, and told me how much he loves me and how important I am to him and asked me to marry him. Naturally I said yes....I'm already mid-planning, but it was such a great day and I'm so happy that we're engaged. Ah, I love this man!

These are pictures of the spot we sat down and Vinnie proposed...

This is my ring....very sparkly....

So, this is a picture that Michelle took. She, mom and Tami (I think) were standing there watching. Come to find out later that they were all waiting to see if we did get engaged. I'm not one for big group announcements, so when Lindsey came up to tell us that her hole was dug I figured I'd tell her and let her spill the beans. So I asked her if she wanted to hear a secret, she said, "eh" and ran away...

So, I ended up just hiding the ring waiting for an opportunity to just tell a few people at a time. A couple minutes after we showed up, we got sent to look for my dad and Stan (bro-in-law). We caught up to them, and we told them. Got back to the group and Michelle came over and asked how our walk was...."very nice" and showed her....Lindsey shows up, and says my ring looks like a crown...then dad brings mom over, hugs all around....

I was a little suspicious about Vinnie asking me before we went on the trip. His mom accidentally spilled the beans and said he was planning on asking me over the reunion, so he said he wasn't now, that he'd make a new plan, but I didn't all the way believe him. When we were stopped at Michelle's house on the way there I was gonna get something from his bag and he freaked out a little. Then on the day he proposed, I was reaching in his pocket while asking if he brought his camera and he freaked out a little then too...I was hoping it was coming, but I tried to be cool just in case it didn't happen, I didn't want to be disappointed. But, it did happen and I am very very happy and very much in love =)

Stupid Cat...

So, funny story...ish...

I'm on my way to OR for my family reunion, right? And we (Vinnie and I) stay the night at my sister, Michelle's. They have a cat, Pepper, who is seriously bi-polar. Now, Pepper is a pretty decent cat most of the time. She stays out of the way and sometimes can be very sweet. Her thing is she'll rub her head on your face and purr. I wouldn't mind so much, but her fur gets into my nose and mouth and it really irritates me. So, I was up in bed and she comes up and starts doing this...

So, I go to attempt to wipe fur from my face with a blanket and Pepper freaks out...she hisses and puts her ears back and meows all low. I freak out that she'll claw my face, so I throw her off the bed and make her leave the room.

(this just goes to show the nature of the cat...nice, then freaky mean)

On the way back from OR we stop again at Michelle's. Vinnie and I get there before the rest of the family. We walk in and I hear Pepper meowing from under the couch, it seriously sounded like she was stuck...not a happy meow... So, I go over and lift up that part of the couch and she runs out to the back door. So....Pepper wants out, eh? I open the door and she's not going out...I decide to wait a few more seconds before closing the door, and what does she do? The stupid cat turns on me, hissing and clawing and she attacks my foot....like REALLY attacks it...she clawed and bit me...hard....

Vinnie thought it was pretty funny while he was taking the pictures and laughed at me for having bandaids on...but still a couple days later...my foot is all pink and there's a little swelling and it aches...talk about a freaky cat! It is kinda funny though...

Ah....everything done

Finals ~ check

Pass classes ~ check

Clean apartment ~ check

Do laundry ~ check

Pack apartment ~ check

Make wedding DVD ~ check

Spell check "happily" ~ check

Massage/facial ~ check check check

....now just a little wedding day for Rachel and then move to Utah =D....almost check