The Shacks Get Back to Nature!

Dan and I have made an informal list of things we want to do before baby girl shack makes her appearance in November.  This July we have hardly been home because we have been out adventuring in the California wilds!  First Dan took a day long deep sea fishing trip with a close friend to Catalina Island.  It was Dan's first experience deep sea fishing and he LOVED it!  He was able to keep six of the fish that he caught including four grouper and two white bass.

Later that week Dan and I returned to Catalina Island to camp for three nights in Hermit Gulch.  We were able to go on a great hike to the top of the Island, go snorkeling off the shore, go fishing in Avalon off the pier (Dan caught two calico bass!), and enjoy the abundant wildlife on the island.  It was such a great and inexpensive way to see the island!  Our entire trip including food, travel, etc cost less than what most people spend in one night at a bed a breakfast in Avalon!  Camping is awesome!

For those of you who are not familiar with Catalina Island it is a private island that is 26 miles off the coast of California that was once owned by Mr. Wrigley of Wrigley chewing gum.  The Chicago Cubs (which he owned) used to have spring training on the island and their baseball field is still there!  Now it is a magnet for people who want a quick getaway into nature and also a romantic escape for couples.  Unfortunately, as we found out this trip it is also a magnet on weekends for those who like to party.  A bummer and very annoying but it didn't ruin our trip at all.  When we go next time we will go during the week to avoid that crowd.  Up next is a trip to San Diego to go camping with friends in Chula Vista!  We will be trying out our new big tent and our dog Jersey will be coming along!

Starting to get ready!

Since the middle of June we have begun to get the nursery ready.  The past few weeks I made some trips to my favorite thrift store near our house.  I scored some great finds at even greater prices!!!  (Have I ever mentioned that I am a major bargain shopper?)  Today I began sorting my finds along with my purchases from the seventy percent off sale at Bon Bebe.  Our wall Dr. Seuss prints should come in the mail soon.  Our crib and dresser/changer which I bought for such a deal off Craigslist is mostly put together.  We were missing a few screws and bolts so I will go pick them up at the Million Dollar Baby warehouse tomorrow.  We were given our first official big baby gift this weekend!  My aunts and some of my cousins went in to purchase for us an awesome BOB jogging stroller!  I am so excited to use it!  Our birthing and nursing classes are scheduled. We are just making adjustments to our baby registry lists on Target and BabiesRUs and the baby shower plans are in full swing!  I am so excited to celebrate this special baby girl and prepare for her arrival in 136 days!  I called our RE, Dr. K, today to tell him the good news about our anatomy scan.  He called me back personally on his cell phone after work to visit with me and congratulate us on our baby girl.  He is so wonderful and it was fun to give him good news.  My belly is starting to protrude a little more so I may get in my first belly shot soon.  We'll see.   I am SO enjoying my summer so far and all of the exciting baby preparations.  I am just drinking in the joyous anticipation of this time.  Several people have asked me if we have made our birth plan yet.  I know so many women are worried about giving birth and how it should go, etc.  I just am not concerned about it.  Not yet anyways.  I just tell people, "Getting and staying pregnant was the hard part.  Giving birth and taking home our baby girl after seven long years?  That is the reward!" (Remind me of this when I am in labor. . .)

Baby Girl Shack Pregnancy Update!

Baby Girl Shack - June 21, 2011

Well today we had another appointment with Dr. B.  It was quick and uneventful which in my book is a GOOD thing.  My second trimester has been AWESOME!  It was as if I woke up at 15 weeks and all my horrible, very bad symptoms had vanished.  I don't even have heartburn anymore!  I am sooo thankful for my good health and lack of horrible symptoms!  Of course that means it is easier to eat now and I have more than gained back those six pounds I lost at the beginning of June when I was so sick.  I was a little worried that I was going to have higher blood pressure at my appointment today.  For the last week my hands and feet have been swelling and my extremities have been easily falling asleep.  But my blood pressure was 126/80 (normal) and Dr. B said that swelling is normal especially in the 100 degree heat we have been having in Chino.  He told me to lay off the salt and rest up.  Dr. B did also mention that even though our Baby Girl measured three days smaller than our original due date, the ultrasound does not change our due date.  So November 25th is the final official due date for Baby Shack.  This means that on Friday I will be exactly halfway through my pregnancy!  I am trying to make the best of my summer and my energetic second trimester by organizing, cleaning, rearranging, running errands, and getting the nursery ready.  I LOVE these kinds of chores so I am glad to do them.  (ANYTHING is better than grading papers! - Right fellow teachers??)  Here is an up close picture of Baby Girl Shack from our ultrasound a few weeks ago. (see above)  Isn't she cute!?  I always thought I would be one of the those pregnant ladies that takes belly pictures every week.  Um, no.  Pretty much you can't even tell that I am pregnant yet.  I guess I kind of look extra chubby around the middle.  It is normal though for girls who are taller, "thicker", and first-timers to take longer to show.  I don't mind.  I don't get off balance, my back doesn't hurt, and people don't stare at me or touch my belly.  (Not yet anyways.)  I am enjoying my pregnancy and getting more and more used to the idea of it as time passes.  This is such a joyful time in our marriage with Baby Girl Shack on the way.  We are enjoying this season and also so excited to meet her in five months!

Ah Vacation....

So it has taken a bit to detox from the end of the school year.  Dan and I went into full vacation mode this past weekend when we went to stay with friends at the beach.  It was so relaxing to just play games, take walks, play a little Wii, and visit with good friends.  The gorgeous view of the ocean from the balcony (see above) helped the relaxation factor considerably.  We had a fun European style breakfast with various cheeses, meats, fresh baked baguette, apricots, blueberries, and sundried tomato pesto.   Thanks for the invite J&J!

On the 4th we spend the day and evening with our family.  Dan was the BBQ master for this family event.  He did a great job in the 90+ degree heat! 

Post BBQ we had a ton of fun with the little cousins and nephews setting off fireworks.  It was a tiring but SUPER fun day! Our poor dog Jersey was the most tired of all!