I'm all baby, baby!

Pregnancy pics were requested and since Chris and I don't take a lot of snapshots I had to pose for one just now. So here is one for those of you who are interested in seeing how I've grown. I know I'm pretty small still- but we were glad to hear from my doctor that Simi is measuring larger than average!

Ignore the polygamist hairdo and no make-up face please :)

30 weeks

Not to toot my own horn or anything...but "beep beep"!

Yay- I finally finished painting in the nursery and have most of it all set up and ready. I'm so grateful to mom and Chris' mom for helping with the decor and already spoiling Simone with gifts to brighten her room (and wardrobe). We also have recieved A LOT of great hand-me-downs from family and friends. Its all starting to feel so real and exciting. I just can't describe how happy we are to become parents...10 more weeks!!!

If Our Kids Are As Weird As Our Dogs...

...then we're in trouble! Mom keeps bugging me to post more so here goes. For all you dog-lovers out there (Eric, are your ears burning?) here is a funny update:

Jackson and Brother are probably the strangest dogs I have ever known. Jackson's human celebrity twin would probably be Elton John- he's flashy, LOVES to dress up even though we don't encourage it, has a lot of sass, and has never shown much interest in the opposite sex. Brother's twin would have to be Woody Allen- he's neurotic, scared of pretty much everything, very particular, and LOVES his "babies" (stuffed animals) more than us. These two make quite a pair! Well, a couple of weeks ago Chris bought the wrong dog food (yes, they must have the same particular brand always) and instead of taking it back right away we thought we'd just try it. To our amazement they seemed to be enjoying it...that is until we noticed what they were really doing: The dog food has 3 kinds of kibble in it- they will ONLY eat the round balls and little squares, but pick out EVERY little bone-shaped kibble and leave it on the carpet for us to throw away! Everyday I have to grab up handfuls of little bones and toss them, otherwise they would just sit there forever. We think it's pretty funny actually...should we worry about our parenting abilities?

leftover bones in the bowl

caught in the act

In other news...Simone is doing great. We just had an ultrasound and she is a little on the big side (I know- gasp...a Reed baby big?!) I am 28 weeks but the Dr. moved my due date up a bit to Dec. 4th! It's coming soon!!! And as you can see Jackson isalready is bonding with his baby sister...

The nursery is almost finished (with a very cute mural) and I will post pics soon!

Calling all decorators! Opinions Please!

I- with my amazing team of Mom, Chris and Chris' Mom- have been slowly getting the nursery ready for our early December arrival. Chris put the crib and changing table together the night they arrived-what a good daddy! And of course Mom sewed the adorable window valance. The plan to finish off the room is a wall mural of a tree and birdies (similar to bedding) next to the changing table, and name letters above the crib with birdies painted above them. Chris' mom is re-covering a used glider I got with cream chenille fabric and also making a very cute matching quilt. Other than that I only have one thing I can't decide on and I am hoping for some opinion...

I painted the big hutch a while back and I love the funky orange/distressed color. There is also a smaller one in the same finish on the other side of the room. I really want to use these for storage in the nursery, but I can't decide if the color works or clashes (there is some orange in the bedding and I could include it in the mural). If I repainted them it would be a dark espresso to match the furniture. I need others opinion- like Emily the queen of decor- before I hastily change them.

p.s. I honestly have way too much to do right now and can't believe I am even worrying about a nursery that isn't going to be used for 4 more months....chalk it up to hormones like everything else!

Hola! Puerto Rico Report!

Chris and I just got back yesterday from a week long vacation in Puerto Rico. Why Puerto Rico you might ask? Well, it is a U.S. territory which means no passing through Customs and also no scary water/food/money to deal with; it is in a part of the world we had never been (the Carribean); and it would be cheaper than Hawaii or our other first choices.

We had a great time! Our hotel was really nice, the beaches were clean and beautiful, and the locals (who almost all spoke English) were friendly. It was very HOT and HUMID, but pleasant in the evenings. Unforunately everything near our hotel in San Juan (the capitol) was extremely overpriced so we spent more than we would have liked. Overall- definitely worth it though! I have to brag that even though I am now 17 weeks pregnant and sporting a little tummy, it didn't hold me back: we snorkeled, hiked in the National Rainforest, swam in waterfalls and to deserted islands, tried weird Puerto Rican food, and walked all over Old San Juan.
I do feel I need to share just a few observations on the Puerto Rican culture that we learned (even though it is technically part of the U.S., believe me it is a world of its own):

1. There are 4 million people living on this tiny island, and 3 million cars on the road. There might be traffic rules but we never saw them being followed- imagine Los Angeles- if everyone drove beaters that they could care less about wrecking-and then times that by 2! Riding in a taxi/bus was an intense experience!

2. The food was very blah. We are not scared to try new things and so I thought we would love trying the food (hoped for spicy Mexican-like dishes). But everything was very basic: pork with rice and some variation of fried plantains, which taste like cardboard. I felt like the priest in Nacho Libre..."where are the chips, where are the spices?" Luckily there was a Subway and Chilis nearby for back up.

3. The fashions of Puerto Rico are interesting to say the least. Imagine tight mesh tank tops, tight jeans and a rat-tail hairdo and you've got the typical men we saw. The women seem to be very "confident"and pretty much wear anything out on the town; usually a bikini top paired with anything that is 2 sizes too small on the bottom. In their defense though- it was damn hot! I shed a few layers and inches of clothing as the day went by too!

Here are some photos from the trip- enjoy!

Can you see the resemblance?

We went to our appointment today and confirmed a healthy, tiny baby in there. It was really cool to get to see the little features already (not as visible in the picure) like the head, arms and legs, and a heartbeat! Chris got work off so we could go together, which was really special. My Dr. said the expected due date is Dec. 8th. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers- we feel so blessed to get to experience this and just hope for continued health and progress.

Blog for Blog's Sake

My Mom has expressed her frustration over the fact that none of us blog much anymore. In my defense, here are my reasons for falling off the wagon:

1. Only like 5 people ever read this blog and most of those are family so it makes me feel nerdy and desperate.
2. I am not witty or a fabulous story-teller like my sisters and Mom are so I don't think anyone's missing much.
3. I haven't had much news.

Well- if you read my Mom's blog you would know that #3 on that list is not entirely true anymore. We've just recieved the biggest news yet: We are having a baby! I know some say it is a faux-pas to reveal a pregnancy when you are still in the first trimester due to high risk of loss- but when you have waited, tried and prayed for something for almost 2 years it is way too exciting to keep quiet. Chris and I are obviously very happy. We have a Dr's appointment this Wed. and they will do an ultrasound to reveal a viable baby with a heartbeat, and determine a due date! I am about 8-9 weeks along so we're thinking early Dec.

So far being pregnant has changed our lives in some ways:
I am queesy/sick 24 hours a day which is fun-not to mention getting a cold on top of that. All I ever want to eat is cheesy or greasy food and fruit. I am OBSESSESED with all things baby and luckily there is a 4 hour block of A Baby Story, Bringing Home Baby, and Birth Day on TLC everyday for me to enjoy (My sister-in-law Heather just passed on 4 new pregnancy books to me- and one of them has some very detailed delivery photos...yikes!) Chris has been so sweet- running to Jamba Juice for me when all I can attempt to eat is a smoothie, letting me take several days off work without feeling guilty, and putting up with my whining. He is going to be a great Dad. Well that is it for now...keep you posted (all 5 of you).

Clare