Can-Can

Mom came up to lend us a helping hand because originally Chris had to go into work for some meetings, but that night actually - I went to wash my hands and found that there was no water. Mom was already on her way here by the time we called to tell her that the well-pump went out and Chris wasn't going in to work. So..she just finished the drive here since she was half-way. She ended up staying several days - and we all went to the Orchard (where Katelyn got her first pumpkin) and mom and Chris bought 14 pounds of apples for Apple Butter.

The Apple Butter was soooo good - and Chris had the ITCH so bad that he ended up going back to the Orchard with mom to buy 50.. YES!! FIFTY pounds of Apples - We have a ton of Apple Butter, and a lot of Apple Sauce.

Chris also canned Pickles, and is going to stretch his horizons by caning Green Beans... I think he may have trouble going back to work next week! He has taken full advantage of being home all-day, everyday.

Two Weeks Old

Whew! Life is so exhausting.

One Week Old

Grandma Hall bought me my very first pumpkin for Fall.

Introducing...

 Katelyn Rene' West

Born: October 6

7 lbs, 7 oz

19 inches

Blog Updates

So, I just removed the cooking and other blogs from the list. I will put them back up later, I need my cereal now. =) You will see that I added my friend Amber's Blog "With All Things Considered...." It is just her site to share her opinion on different parenting topics. While I feel different about some things she talks about (although I've never had the actual parenting part to deal with yet), she is by far one of the most knowledgeable mommies I know. She doesn't just deal with issues.... she researches them and always puts her children first. I think she's amazing, and I'm glad she's sharing her thoughts.

Last weeks DR Appt

Last week was a pretty easy DR appointment. After the ultra sound, he mentioned no concerns over fluid or size - but still breech. We went ahead and scheduled her delivery around the due date time just in case she does not turn (or decide to come) by then. He said it appears "we have a healthy mom and a healthy full-term baby". He also said we could schedule delivery whenever we wanted from this point on since she is full-term - but as I said, we kept it near the due date (6th)- hoping she'll turn by the time she comes.

Next Appt. is Tuesday.

Another Doctor Update

BP = good. Weight gain = good. Heart rate= 160, good. Fundal Measurement = short.

 He couldn't tell by touch if she has flipped around or not, so I know we're checking that at the ultra sound - If she is still breech, then we will be discussing options at the next appointment. As long as she's healthy I don't care how she gets here. =)  He also said that it seems she has dropped, which explains the incredible pain rocketing through my hips and interrupting my sleep, also another reason why the measurements were short. Each good signs in the right direction either way. =D

Party Time

We also enjoyed a lovely bash for Makenna's 5th Birthday in Champaign. We just love her to pieces, she's so stinking cute! Amanda tickled all of our tummies with a delicious POT ROAST lunch - and (with Rachel in tow) we hit up the water park where I FINALLY got to enjoy a lazy river this year after Indiana Beach's FAIL.

You May Have Heard....

Chris got a NEW truck!

He has been wanting a truck for years...and now he has it. It's a 2011 Chevy Silverado in "Steel Green". He drove it off the lot with a whole 65 miles on it. We owe a huge THANK YOU to both Shane (Discount) and Adam (Salesman)  for making this happen at the payment we wanted (OK, $7 and some change more a month, but who can argue with that?) - and comparable to the payment we were going to have on a used truck... I guess the Toyota being all funky paid off, because it hadn't needed to go into the shop Chris would have bought the used one before the weekend...BUT... since it did have to go to the shop I (mean wife, I know) told him he has to wait until we see how much we owe on fixing the Toyota...(Thankfully, ZILCH!)... he got this one! 

Don't tell him...but I kind of like it too... 

Baby Room ALERT!

Momma West was here for basically two weeks working hard on the baby's room. You can see from the pictures what a wonderful job she done! Chris and I are both so excited and happy with the end result. I told her that it is was a blessing she came to do the room, because if it were up to me (I like to start a project, but not finish if it takes more than an hour or two) - it would have been a coat of paint, maybe a shelf and that's it. She creatively pulled items from the baby shower into the room decor, it's really neat. You'll see below that we they painted one of the first dressers that belonged to her and Darrell. Just a few tiny things left to do and the room will be 90% complete ... just need to add the baby and it's all finished!

Thanks Cathy!!! It's beautiful!

Oh, Baby Shower...

Had a fun baby shower put on by my momma and my Aunt Marianne last weekend. It was just an amazing blast from the past with old friends and their parents that had such a huge part in my life, and great family! When I was asked where I wanted to have the baby shower I knew I wanted it with all the people I love so much, but because of life I don't get to see as often as I'd like.

Chris got the funniest gift...a diaper changing kit - complete with goggles, surgical mask, apron, and tongs.

 One game included everyone trying to size my belly. Chris guessed a little large, but my friend Amanda guessed it right on the nose! It was so much fun. Now we just have to wait for the little girl to get here.

Yay!

Good News from the Doc yesterday. Measurements show that the baby's growth is very good. A tad small, but nothing to be concerned about. =) No other concerns from him at the moment. Baby is breech, so Chris came up with a way to fix that if she doesn't flip again on her own....I stand on my head until she gets tired of being upside down again and flips the right way. LOL! We told the DR, he said I don't have to stand on my head yet, still plenty of time for her to get ready for the big debut. =)

The Run-A-Round

Only ONE month and TWO weeks until the official due date for the little one bumbling around inside my tummy. I'm getting so stinking excited and scared all at the same time, but can hardly wait for her arrival. Momma West is arriving tonight to start decorating the nursery.....little does she know exactly how much work there is to do in that room before her fun can begin. (Perhaps I can Chris in there when he gets home from work before she gets here?)

Her closet of clothes is growing, and the diaper stash is coming along quite nicely in the range of size smalls! I need to pick up the ball on the Newborn sizes, but they seem to be in high demand for purchasing AND a bit pricey. I have sewn three of them, but need to order more fabric...plus I'm not sure how well I actually made them and if they will be useful in containing messes at all! They look good, but it's a lot of work to put them things together. our plan is to use a mix of cloth and disposable diapers. I'm sure cloth diapering will only end up being nothing more than "good intentions", but I at least want to give it a hearty try. (hence, the reason for not wanting to spend hundreds of dollars to start a cloth diaper stash.)

I picked up a stroller to keep in the back of Christopher's car at a yard sale for $10, and little pink princess rocking horse at another for $3. Casi and Shane loaned us their crib they used for the boys, and she gave us a cute tiny baby weight scale! Mom also sent us home with my old playpen...it needs cleaned up a bit...I think that is all we really got at the moment though. There is a nice  garage sale page for the county on FB, so I should be able to find any other items fairly quickly if needed. There are several baby swings, pack-n-plays, changing tables, high chairs....everything....on the site now. I'm not anticipating too many larger items from the shower,  but I am still going to wait to try to collect some of these things till after the shower, so I can make the least amount of trips out as possible. =)

Had the Ultrasound yesterday to check the baby's size - We'll get the full report tomorrow at the scheduled DR. appointment, so updates to come - but according to the technician (who told us A LOT more than the last one did - in fact the last one scared me because she just kept saying, "I don't know, I'm not a doctor." yeah, I know, I know...still sucks though.) Anyway, According to the technician the baby is measuring at 32 weeks and 4 days and we are 33 Weeks and 4 days today! So, hopefully one week difference is not too big of an issue for the doc, we shall see.

Off to the grocery for dinner yummies! Have a great day.

Boooooo, Hissssssss

Everything was great at the appointment last week until the doc measured, and the total came up about a CM short. Everything I have read online says that there is usually not much of a concern on the doctors end if the measurement is within 2CM, but I think because he has expressed signs of concern over the visual size of the bump he has scheduled another ultra sound to check the baby's growth and be sure she is growing as she should.

Week 30 Photo.

=) Still Growing.

Anniversary Flowers

 I was so excited to come home and have a flower notice on the door (haha), but the amazing flowers themselves were delivered shortly after.  Almost hard to believe that Chris and I have been married for 7 years.

Other things to blame besides the teachers.

So there really are things we can blame besides the teachers. I have never agreed with the notion of,

“If my child excels in school it will be because of her and the way she was raised. If my child fails it will be because of her teachers.”

If citizens and politicians won't listen to teachers, perhaps they will listen to a celebrity like Matt Damon... Who gave a speech talking about all the things he loves about himself, that he prides himself on, and that public school teachers provided him with - "These qualities that make me who I am can not be tested"

The reporter also gives very sensible reasons why the teachers should not be the first to be blamed. Are there closet teachers out there? Sure. Are there passionate teachers who care and want to help each individual student in the best way possible, but can't because they are being micromanaged to the point of exhaustion? You bet.

Enjoy the clip, and feel free to laugh when the reporter compares the incentives for being a teacher to those of an actor. =D I did.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Work around the house Update.

Guess I really am bored now. Went to the movies twice by myself in a weeks time.

First I watched Bad Teacher - wowza, she really is a bad teacher, but I enjoyed the movie...Not to say that Justin Timberlake was bad in it, but the character he played was more than just a tad creepy.

I also watched ZooKeeper. It had it's moments, but nothing about it was really spectacular.

Other movies on my hit list: The Smurfs, Friends w/ Benefits, and soon coming- The Change Up.
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I've also spent time wondering about plans for NOLA this year and if accommodations are being made as a group, or on our own?? Yes, I'd like an answer and I think only one person who reads this (Amanda, no pressure) can attempt to answer.    =)
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I have also finally ran out of Melaluca dish soap. I bought some Dawn, and I must admit that I'm rather surprised at how much is already gone! The same size bottle of Melaluca lasted me forever, and this one is so liquidy I may be using more than I need to b/c of that, but it's like almost gone already. So if my MIL ever happens to stumble across this blog again maybe she'll pick up on that and get me some more! (hehe, I think she forgot blogs exist - if you notice it's been a loooooooong time since she's updates hers!)
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I have been doing a few scrapbook pages this week. I got the first baby bump page done, just waiting on the weeks to past to glue pictures to the second one, and then will use the last baby bump picture taken on it's own page which is mustly designed and cut out, just needs things pasted.

I also finished the page for trading in the Celica for the Rav4, and filled in the notes for months 6 & 7 so far. I have the doctor's review page designed, but still need to cut the images, print the report (basically what I blogged with a little revision for a scrapbook mode), and glue it all together.

I have gotten compliments for my MIL on the amazing shower cards that she made for me! (Truly a crafty genius now!) I'll get a picture posted soon as I get one because my mom and Aunt have been handling all the arrangements, so I have only seen the text picture, but they looked great.
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I've also been busy sewing. Yes, more nursing pads - but also diapers and matching bibs. The bibs are mostly because there is not enough fabric to make another diaper with, so this way I don't feel like I'm wasting as much money.

I made a fleece covered diaper (my first) which I don't think I put a long enough elastic strip in for it to actually be beneficial with holding everything in there, so it may not get used ever except by the teddy bear wearing it now. I'm not a big fan of the fleece diapers anyway, so I've moved on to bigger and better things...

By using PUL and flannel. I made a couple AIO (All In One's) where the soaker pad is sewn into the diaper, and a couple Pocket Diapers (layer soaker pads, and remove to wash.) I've heard pros and cons of both. AIO's take longer to dry, and pocket diapers require stuffing. Either way I'm having a blast making them, and I ordered a couple Bum Genius brands to compare with what I have made, and other than theirs being AIO and OS (One size, to grow with the baby) I really can't tell a difference between my handy work and theirs - and we all know that no one is more critical of me than I am. So, we'll see how they compare after a few go rounds in the wash today.

Doctor Notes:

So we are down (or up?) to two week appointments. Tuesday was the first one in this series. Week 30 officially starts on Friday, so I’ll post the new bump picture then so I won’t scrapbook the wrong one (just in case the next few days brings on a big change).

The doctor was pleased, although rather surprised, that my iron levels actually went up instead of down, 12.7 to 13. He said he doesn’t know what I’m doing, and Chris and I just shrugged at each other…like we don’t know, junk food and sitting on my bum all day?

Weight gain was 1.5 pounds – about 22 lbs. total. We’re right on track there with a goal in the neighborhood of 35 if we stay on pace these last months. We’ll see what happens.

Visually, the Dr. refers to my bump as an “optical illusion”, because it practically disappears when I lay back – but, everything is measuring just fine. This is not something I was worried about until the last appointment before this one when he kept assuring me that the size was fine. So, when he measured and walked to his files expecting the measurement to be small this appointment, I just let my worry (which he unintentionally started at the last appointment) of a baby with dwarfism be known, he promptly looked over his file and said not to worry because the femur length was exactly proportional to the head and chest, and with dwarfism this is not the case. (Not that bump size really matters as far as the size of the baby, but irrational fears have a way of creeping in there. – No need to flood me with reassurance (or short jokes) there. :))

The glucose test came back A-Okay. Doc gave the old pancreas a thumbs-up in case you were wondering.

Who knew I was having contractions? Makes sense now that I think about what I described I was feeling versus the whole name…contractions… but give me a break – how am I just supposed to magically know what they feel like?? I’m having them every day, numerous a day actually, so doc has us monitoring the time on those, so we can put the kibosh on them if needed. <<<------That is why I’m glad Chris enjoys going too, because I had already been convinced by myself and others that what I was feeling was just the position of the baby being weird, because I have actually been able to feel these things for a while now and I had forgot to ask, and because the feeling was happening more and more and more frequently Chris decided to bring it up. Gotta love him. <3<3<3<3<3<3

I think that might be everything. I guess if it’s not Chris will just have to let me know, but I think that is it.

Sandy in Romania: Our Favorite Season

Check Out Our Girl Sandy's Latest Blog Post!

Sandy in Romania: Our Favorite Season: "Summer Summer vacation officially started on June 15 for all the youth and kids in Romania ; that was the last day of school. O..."

Benny-Boy

Surfing around TMZ this morning I found this guy! I've never thought Ben Affleck was incredibly hott, but for whatever reason I am totally loving the hair. I can't help but think it's some kind of joke, but I like it on him. =P

Chris & Josh Turner

Chris is all excited about meeting Josh Turner at the County Fair. He got the cover for Long Black Train autographed, and stole this picture with him. The concert was great.

The Steffen's spent the weekend with us and it was a blast. Mitch came on Thursday and we went to El Bracero's for dinner with him. Friday Tess and the boys (Nick & Alex) came up around dinner time and we had Bratwurst on the grill and then swung into Culver's for some ice cream. Saturday they went to the beach for their yearly trip, but Chris and I stayed home because bacteria advisories were issued for the beaches, and I didn't want to get too hot just chilling on my towel. For dinner, Mitch cooked the most amazing Flat-Iron Steaks on the grill. YUMMMMMY!!!! There is a small portion leftover that I am totally going to slice and eat with a salad later. =) Of Course, then we headed to fair and enjoyed the concert.

Meet & Greet

Chris just called to say he got a Meet & Greet pass for the concert this weekend. WoooHooo, he can get one of these CD's signed!

These R Da Breaks

Mrs. Brennan posted this video and I thought it was cute.. so... I stole it. Take a break, enjoy.

Thanks Greg!

We had a wonderful time entertaining one of Chris's coworkers who is in town this week. I made Lasagna (as FB people know, splattered a Colts shirt - boooo!) steamed Broccoli, and fresh Strawberry slices with a Sugar Cream pie for dessert. Beers for the guys, Water for me. the only thing to have made the night better would have been a World Cup victory by Team USA, but I'm just happy they were in the final - very proud people here!

Eh.. I guess one more thing would have made the night better for me.... if the newest batch of pies would have set up right. That was the first time I've ever ruined a SC pie... and it was 4 of them. Chris said it's no big deal... I said, "No big deal? Do you know how much time and energy it takes to make and roll out that crust!?!" I think because I was trying to rush and get them in the oven before Greg got here I may not have treated my sugar mixture with as much attention as it would have liked.

To Do Today:

 

Finish sewing my new:

Sew another batch of:

Eat Leftover:

Work:

Ignore Her.

With the release of Casey Anthony tomorrow, the news media is going crazy with people saying she will be harmed. I hope this does not happen. It will not give Caylee justice, and it will only ruin another set of lives. I don't think she's worth the blog space I've given her here, nor is she worth a second of thought, but let's just remember that we ALL must answer to HIM in the end, and that is when the real punishment begins - for life does not begin until we are accepted into our Father's house.

Catch Up!

Most Important News!-------->>> Chris gets home from his second trip to Germany tonight!

Lordy, how I've missed him! Although, I have slept much better since dad gave me his pepper spray - LOL, I no longer fear that crazy person who wants to slip in my windows, hide in the closet, and make funny faces at me while I sleep. (Yes, I watch to many crime shows, and there are nights when the ice maker drops a load, and I convince myself that someone is in the house, and spend 2 hours clutching the television remote hitting the mute button for every creak.) Sadly, I'm starting to get comfortable being home alone with every night.

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Next News: I've also been on vacation with mom and dad. We went to TN - stopping in Murfreesboro so I could spend some time with Thom and Heidi and the boys who were visiting Mom and Dad West.

Then we spent a couple days at my brother's house enjoying the lake and nature and all that comes with it. Simply wonderful! Always great to see him and Robert (see, I'm learning that he's outgrown "Robbie") and Jenny.

Then we moved on to Aunt Virginia and Uncle Blake's house where I got to meet Kya, Hayden, and baby Maleeah (I prolly misspelled that one) for the first time! And my cousin Sarah swung by for the Chinese Buffet and we are finally FRIENDS on Facebook - it's official people - she LIKES ME! haha.

(And she'll prolly "unfriend" me if she ever finds her way to this blog and sees I posted this picture of her!)

Then we took Mya to the hotel, played on the computers, swam in the morning, and then drove around to visit with some of my Dad's Aunts and Cousins that he has not seen in well over 40 years! Interesting, there is no doubt that the one is a "Mountain Woman" all the way to her core. They were all great stops though.

Then we all spent the night at Darrell and Cathy's house on our way home. Dad ran errands with Big D on Saturday and mom and I attended a STAMP CAMP at Cathy's house where we made our first stamped cards... wow! Was it fun too. I totally think that is something I'd like to get into if I can squeeze time away from the sewing machine and my scrap booking.

We drove straight through the rest of the way, I never got the Subway I wanted the ENTIRE trip - so maybe I can get Chris to go for one tomorrow since he wanted one in Germany, but it was somewhere he couldn't get to for whatever reason. =)

Football, Ha Ha!

 There better be an NFL season this year! I NEEEEEED my COLTS!

If you thought you might be interested in the Greenbay Packers pre-season tickets, but were too afraid to ask in the event that there was not an NFL season all I can say is, YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE! They were asked for (and given) away Thursday.

Want to know what broke Christopher's heart on Thursday? I'm sorry that I can't help but laugh at this, he was truly heartbroken when he got the email from work saying they were sponsoring a Literature for Children type event with the Colts mobile bus...taking place while he (the BIGGEST COLTS fan in the company as we know it) will be in Germany.

He called his boss right away and asked, "So was this your plan the entire time? You wait till I get a job that takes me out of the country and then announce that my team is going to be in the parking lot of the company. What gives??" Whelp.... Even funnier (That's right Mr. Dodd- I said it again, deduct 5 points now!) is that this morning the President of the company calls Chris to borrow some of his Colts gear so he can "look" the fan part! HAHA, I took him a Manning and a Wayne jersey to choose from and a Colts Visor. If they wore the same size shoes I would have loaned him Chris's Colts tennis shoes... but that's also kinda grossy, so maybe not.

Just to give you a back story on this - Chris has been put in charge of  getting a "celebrity" to the United Way Golf Outing in August - and when he wanted to book the Colts Cheerleaders everyone gave him a hard time because we may be in Indiana, but we are so close to Chicago that we live in "Bears Country", so Colts fans like us are not always welcomed with open arms around these parts...