32 Weeks

32 Weeks here we are! Gosh, when I hit 30 weeks I thought the end is near, but now it seems long again.... 8 more weeks (but I'm sure it will fly by;))

PS: this is my sick-headed self, but notice my belly button finally popped out?! Is it weird that I really wanted it to pop... ya probably strange, but ya know- at least I'm honest ;)

Heartbeat

My heartbeat this week was attending our birthing class with Pete. Being totally honest here- I was not looking forward to it... after a LOOONG week with 4 year olds, I just wanted to spend a quiet weekend at home, but Pete was so excited about it, I knew it would be fun!

We learned so much about labor, delivery, and how the heck we're suppose to take care of this newborn creature that's about to be ours!

Things we learned this weekend:

(now... please don't judge- remember everyone- this is our FIRST ;))

5. Labor is a LONG process- we're talking not 4-6 hrs.... more like 12-20- oh geez

4. You need more in your hospital bag then a pair of pjs and outfit for your baby- oops... who knew?!

3. You can't eat once you're in the hospital- oh that could be bad news bears

2. The Dr. and nurses really aren't there much.... which leaves the bulk of the duties, coaching up, comfort measures to the spouse (aka: Peter Lee).... oh the look on his face when he realized that.... ;)

1. That most women are a little out of it once things get hairy- oh please God let me be civil and appreciative of my husband....

All around the class was WONDERFUL! Pete was glued to the teacher's every word, but as soon as we left his first question, "So how soon do you think your mom can get here??" HA!

I also wanted to share a couple pictures as we continue to get things together...

...a beautiful bag a friend from work made for Harper- I think it is so cute and although I KNOW it is suppose to be functional, I just hate to use it.... it's so pretty hanging there in her room ;)

Thank you SO much, Amanda!!!

A few pics from her closet

It is slowly starting to fill up- I am the most excited about her growing library... children's books are so darn cute!!!

Organizational rings for Harper's closet (newborn- Toddler)

Oh ya.... DEFINITELY had these bad boys on my registry... my mother may have laughed at my ridiculous want of a waste of money, but oh ya... they were the first gift I received addressed to Harper- from my mother nonetheless... and yes, they are already in use- hehe!

Hiccup

HEARTBURN! Holy moly who knew you could get heartburn in the middle of the night, when you first wake up, in the shower, after eating a huge plate of spaghetti (ok, I knew that one- but totally ate it anyway) but really any time of day! The stabbing feeling is not-so-fun when you have to remain vertical to get it to go away.... ya, not the greatest when sleep has been interrupted or is allllll you want! Thankfully over-the-counter stuff is working to combat it, but wah- I still am a little whiney about it (can you tell??) ;)

So, I'll be excited to share my trip next weekend as I travel to Indiana for our baby shower... I cannot WAIT to see you all!!!!

Have a wonderful week :)

31 Weeks

31 Weeks

So... here we are at 31 Weeks! As you may tell from the picture- clothing was casual this weekend as Pete and I worked to get the nursery and other things ready for the baby girl's arrival!

Heartbeat

This baby has had a name for a little while now- since we have shared it (mistakenly) so many times in conversation already, we thought it ABOUT TIME to share with the blog world :).

Our little one's name is Harper Grace Lee :).

Even though, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee IS one of my favorite books... no, she was not named after the author! Pete and I can agree on most things, but deciding the name for our daughter was a toughie... once we came up with this one it just sort of stuck- I didn't question Pete's liking of the name, I just went with it- hehe!

With that being said, our heartbeat this week was prepping, washing her clothes, and continuing to get her little room together...

thank you Mom & Dad for the beautiful bedding...

Olivia loves it very much- DARN CAT! So, after finding her lying in the car seat and crib, Harper's bedroom door is officially closed to her furry sister!

... I believe this may be the winner for Harper's "coming home outfit". The outfit a newborn comes home in is a big deal in the O'Connell family and I hope to carry on the tradition with my own family :)

Hiccup

Consider me a beached whale.... hehe- man do I feel like one! I officially need help getting up from lying down. Pete laughed at first, but has been ever so helpful to assisting my hugeness these days... whether it be tying my shoes or helping me off the couch he has been of great assistance ;)

V Day Tidbits

Valentine's Day was nice... gosh, I do enjoy teaching when it comes to special events like this- the kids just love it- I've seen more construction paper hearts and glitter then I know what to do with- hehe!

Anyway, Pete was proud of these flowers... they don't happen very often and I had to get a picture before our cat, Olivia, decided to partake in their yumminess...

... the reason I don't get flowers- Olivia eats the greenery and LOVES watching the water-filled glass slosh about as it hits and shatters on the floor... oh ya, I think she's ruined about 4-5 bouquets!

A friend from work made me this beautiful "wreath" made of baby diapers in infant trinkets. I was amazed at how adorable it was and the sweetness of her making this gift (I've only know her a couple months.. she's expecting her son just 5 days before our little girl... think the little one will have a little boyfriend- just kidding, Becca! ;))

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day and a good start to your week!!

30 Weeks

30 Weeks!!!!!!!!!

So, I'm a little excited to be in the final 10 weeks! Gosh, with each passing week I get that much more excited to be a mom....

Heartbeat

My heartbeat this week was enjoying STILL being pregnant while spending our last quiet-no-babysitter-needed Valentine's Day :). Pete and I enjoyed a date night yesterday: dinner... AND dessert accompanied by a trip to Target to continue preparing for our little one.

...did I mention I got dessert?! ;) We never usually do that, but what the heck- Valentine's Day happens once a year- right?! I decided the event was picture worthy!

My other heartbeat happened today....

Pete and I probably daydream about our little girl in our own little ways: I think of her cute little outfits... worry that I'll be able to tell which cry means what, while I'm sure Pete thinks about finances, boyfriends, how to hold her (maybe not in that order;), but today I caught a glimpse of the love and excitement he already has for his little girl...

I came home from running errands and he had painted her name to hang above her crib, hung pictures and curtains, and cleaned like a mad man. The best part though... when I asked why all the homey madness: "Amy, I'm nesting" ;)...

Ha, just another reason why I love him so much... he made my day

I know we all have our varying thoughts of Valentine's Day, but I hope that this day finds you all in good health and happiness... as I love you all and am thinking of you this Valentine's Day; Pete and I are so grateful for the love and support you each have given us....

We love you

Hiccup

...no hiccups this week (maybe I still have my rose-colored glasses on ;)), but it's been a quiet, happy, not-too-uncomfortable week and I am not complaining one bit!

Snow: Round 2!

And so it happens again...

The Arkansas Weathermen predicted about 4-6 inches (no big deal).... hmmmmm

...by about noon I think we were up to 2 feet my friends, but you know... God has a mind of his own Mr. Weatherman- no hard feelings ;)

On Wednesday the snow kept a fallin'

....and a fallin!

Pete and I enjoyed our 2nd snow day together: I in my pjs and Pete with his shovel ;)

...and Emma with her deck- geesh did she love it!!!

The Driveway

1 brand new shovel

+

4 pairs of clothes and gloves (minus boots or a coat;))

+

3 hours of work

+

1 very hardworking Pete

=

SUCCESS of a clear driveway

Look on Pete's face with 1 inch of snow covering his back after completion of his first 'man of the house duty' = PRICELESS ;)

(and so cute to see my husband so proud - "its the best one on the block, Amy... you really need to come see".... oh how I love him!!!)

29 Weeks

29 Weeks- 1 week until I get to the 30's.... I know I say this about every week, but I just can't believe the last few months are here!

Heartbeat

She kicked her little foot out so I could see the slight lump under my belly... it was pretty cool! Her movements are so scheduled- she's up at 6AM and again at 8PM ready to play! We enjoy watching our little one, but as we watch our focus always turns to: are we ready? We've made lists, organized, budgeted, and rebudgeted- who knows... are you ever really "ready"?? Regardless, (hoping she waits another 10 weeks) she WILL be ours: ready or not, here she comes!

Hiccup

Sleep... oh how I love thee ;). I am sleeping ok, but my goodness that clock hits 6PM and I promise you I am READY for my pillow! I try to stay up until at least about 8, but geesh... never thought I would be MORE tired then I was the 1st trimester. But, I know, I know... I have NO idea what sleep deprivation is until she is actually here!

Holy Freakin' Snow, Batman!

January, 29, 2011: 75 Degrees and full sun- driving around with the windows down and sunglasses on!

February 1, 2011: 15 degrees with a freezing rain/sleet storm followed by 12 inches of snow.... no sunglasses or ANY driving necessary!

... geesh, so strange!! Needless to say, Tuesday was a snow day for Pete & I! We had fun lounging around the house and looking out the window in awe of the crazy yet utterly beautiful weather outside!

We enjoyed from indoors, but Emma just couldn't get enough of the outdoors!!! We had to ration her snow time as she usually eats so much fluffy whiteness that she promptly throws it all up as soon as she comes in!

Rationing and all, she loved every second of her usually much-avoided yard!!

...she ran

...and she ran... scooping up as much snow as possible!

Our snow day came and went....reluctantly, Pete went to work this morning... he was NOT happy about it and I am guessing is STILL trying to find his happy face ;). We realized yesterday morning that we do NOT own a shovel (oh the beauty of trying to figure things out on our own- hehe) and then Pete realized when dressing today to "shovel" the driveway with a broom, dust pan, and kitchen trashcan that he did not have boots or gloves.... oh geesh it was a sight to see. Bless his heart, he wouldn't let me out there to help him, but I watched him the whole time from the window... he was muttering something under his breath I just couldn't make out- hehe, but he eventually dug himself out! For me though... snow day, round 2 (much less fun without anyone to hang out with ;))

To all of you who did or are experiencing this crazy storm: I wish you warmth, safety, and some good home-cookin'