Spicy Food
Yummy dinner at Dos Reales Friday night.
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Long Walk
Saturday includes walking 4 miles with Auntie M at the Heart Walk
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Doc who doesn’t think I will be prego as of Monday
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Maybe the Little Lady is on her way?!?!?!
Ok people, with less than two days until my due date, I am ready to get this show on the road. Any suggestions, advice, old wives tales, etc to bring on labor naturally? Help me out (and keep it clean ladies, my mom reads this blog! ;)
Zip, zero, zilch, nada, none, nil, nought, nothing….absolutely no progress. The Little Lady has decided to stay put at least another day.
If she takes after her mother, she might arrive exactly on schedule – typical accountant type A personality, not too early, not too late, but a bit impatient to see the world outside the womb. If she has her father’s personality, it might be awhile and she might need a little encouragement to get moving. She’d be thinking that she is perfectly content in her dark warm home, sees no need to ruin the good thing she has going on in there, and will just relax and enjoy life as she knows it.
Or maybe she will be a perfect combination of us both and come whenever she is good and ready. Only time will tell and we are patiently waiting…
Relax, we aren’t talking go time…..yet. More on this blog title later. (Note to audience/Fans of my wife: not to disappoint, but this is not Lindsay…sadly, instead, you will be reading the thoughts of the hooligan that got her knocked up). For the past few months I have promised Lindsay that I would write a few words regarding my feelings to the upcoming birth. So with the due date less than a week away and with so many thoughts racing through my mind, I thought now would be a good time. So without further adu…
I would like to start out with a few words on Lindsay…Over the last few months, I can honestly say that I have never been more proud of her. She has shown an amazing amount of strength & optimism throughout this entire pregnancy, all the while putting up with my ADD/OCD type behavior and the peaks and valleys that go along with it :) Anyone who knows me will understand and agree with this. She has honestly been amazing and the motherly instincts that have come to light during these last 9 months have shown me how great a mother she truly will be.
Now on to some thoughts as the husband to a wife that is pregnant… A man truly has not lived life until experiencing the many facets of life with a pregnant woman. I’ve made a list to help me keep things in order, so here goes:
1. Maternity Classes: Did I really need to know this much about breast feeding??? I feel like I could teach the class now – remember ladies, c-cup the breast – and don’t be shy about it, our instructor definitely wasn’t. I have never felt more uncomfortable in my life…wow. Also, while breastfeeding, make sure to either hold the baby like a little a running back carrying a football – make sure to tuck ‘em in nice and tight or else you may drop them. I could go on, but I feel like the blog would get too graphic (nobody wants to read about areolas and milk ducts anyway – at least not from a guy’s point of view).
2. Sleep: Have you ever tried to sleep with a pregnant woman? I don’t think I’ve had a full nights sleep in 9 months – and I normally sleep like a rock. I know, I know, my wife has it much worse, but holy cow, when you only get one tiny section of the bed and you are constantly getting shoved and asked to move even further away, it can get a little tough. I’m sure it will all get better once the Little Lady actually arrives – I’ve always heard first-time parents sleep like a rock.
3. Nesting: Now I’ve heard the term nesting before, but I didn’t realize the guy had to be so involved. I mean should “nesting” really involve this many projects for one man? I feel like I took on a second job in 2009, except I haven’t been paid for any of it yet :) …there are only so many new traits a guy can learn before he starts to feel a little like Bob Vila, minus the TV show and beard. *Actually I haven’t minded any of this – to be honest it makes you feel a little more like a guy, plus it gives you something to talk about at weekend parties with friends.
4. The Experience: This has actually been a pretty cool experience the whole way through…the joy and happiness of your wife that you get to experience, the thrill of getting a chance to bring a whole new person into this world, the anxiety/nervousness of meeting this person for the first time (Actually, who am I kidding – I’m not sure if I’m really that nervous. This isn’t like a first date or something…I’m the only Dad she has – she’ll have to like me, right? I can, and probably will be, the biggest dork in the world, in Little Lady’s eyes, my wife’s eyes, and probably numerous other people’s eyes…but that’s the beauty of parenthood, right – no matter what, we’re in it together). I can’t wait to meet this Little Lady – I hope she feels the same way.
5. Just for men: And for my final point, I’ll go back to the title of the blog. This week has been a little stressful for me – knowing the baby could come at anytime, making sure I’m caught up at work so that I can take a little time off when the baby gets here, etc. – Well, earlier this week, I discovered my first grey hair. Are you kidding me? I’m 29 years old, how does this happen? At least now I can understand and appreciate the stress brought on by having a daughter :) At least it can only get better, right? It’s not like she’ll ever try to bring home some off-the-wall guy that I don’t approve of…(man, the things I’m going to learn that maternity class doesn’t prepare you for).
I know this is long, and I apologize for that (I had a lot on my mind). I would however like to take a second to comment on family & friends…thank you all so much for the support, prayers and overall love you have shown Lindsay and me. We have always felt lucky to be surrounded with all of you, but moments like these seem to make you realize how important your circle really is. We cannot wait for Little Lady O to meet you and experience the love, humor and friendship that we have been fortunate enough to experience in the time that we have known you. We truly feel blessed to be family/friends with all of you. In closing, Go Royals, Go Lynnie & Ehlers (did you really think I’d leave the dogs out of this?), and especially, Go Aynslee…this weekend was our favorite (and only) niece’s fourth birthday…Do me a favor Aynslee, celebrate this age the right way – go bar hopping for your Uncle Ryan. We love you and hope you had a great birthday party – sorry we couldn’t be there. Also, I almost forgot, to our dear friends Tyler and Lesley…Happy Anniversary – we hope to see you soon!
I have the sweetest husband, who has been so complementary and reassuring about my ever-growing and changing body these past few months. He is loving my belly and has been very insistent that we have photos taken of me while pregnant. I was a bit hesitant at first, but after we reached out to Maura Coleman-Murray, who created our AMAZING wedding video, and after talking over our ideas, I grew to become much more comfortable with the idea.
Maura came to our house and took the photos when I was 35 weeks. She has posted a few on her blog, so take a peak. In addition, a slideshow of our favorites will be available for a few weeks (click on ‘client slideshows’, password is our last name).
We are so excited and loving the finished product – the pictures turned out better than I could have imagined! Hope you enjoy them as much as we did!
I highly recommend Maura for both wedding videos and maternity photos. Plus we’ll be seeing her again soon as she’ll be taking newborn photos in just a few short weeks!
The Little Lady is still cookin’ as of this afternoon, and I am getting geared up to do some cooking myself. I stocked up at Dream Dinners so Ryan and I have quick and easy meals once the baby arrives!
Then I met Ryan for lunch and he snapped a quick picture of my 39 week belly!
Still no sign of the Little Lady as of today.
Thank you, Auntie M, for the assortment of kiddo music for the Little Lady. I’ve been downloading and listening to these CD’s today….and am thinking Ryan and I might enjoy them just as much as the baby!
“For the Kids” by Various Artists
Today marks a special day in our relationship. Exactly 15 years ago, May 20th 1994, Ryan and I began this crazy journey. On that day, a 14 year old boy and girl started “going out.” What a romantic start we had….Ryan was such a flirt and would hold my hand at school, and my best friends Rachel and Bryn informed me that this was very promiscuous behavior since we were not boyfriend/girlfriend (such great friends, and an amazingly simple life we had). The next time Ryan tried holding my hand, I said “hey, I can’t let you do that since you aren’t my boyfriend” – to which he replied, “Ok, want to go out with me? “ Wow, he has such a way with words. :)
Who would have thought that sweet day would turn into this incredible journey. We’ve experienced many ups and downs, a few breakups, a move across country and back again, tons of laughter, lots of adventures, a few tears, one absolutely gorgeous wedding, and an amazing 3 and a half years of marriage thus far. And now, we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first child.
While Ryan and I secretly thought today might be an ironic ‘birth day’ for our Little Lady, I think we can safely say she has other plans for her arrival, and will let May 20th remain special to just Ryan and I.
Happy, kinda sorta, anniversary Ryan!
No sign of the Little Lady arriving, so I have been busy keeping myself entertained while on maternity leave. In the past few days, here is a portion of my completed to-do list…
* Fill front porch planters with flowers.
*Costco to buy batteries for numerous baby gadgets and toys
*Eye Dr for 1 day disposable contacts – to pack in hospital bag
* Reading this book.
Written by Kate Darling, who is my good friend Jenny’s sister-in-law. I met Jenny in grad school, we were bridesmaids in each other weddings, and she and her husband Eben still live in DC.
I’ve greatly enjoyed the book, and have included a few links to reviews Kate has received.
It was also reviewed in the May issues of Glamour and Southern Living magazines if you have access to these.
* Big Lots to purchase bookcase for basement. Put together bookcase while husband watches Royals in man-cave
* Taking time to relax (and maybe even nap!) each day – Elhers is demonstrating our relaxing skills.
I still have a short to-do list before the baby arrives, so hopefully I have a few more days!
We enjoyed what could be our last weekend as a family of two….
Saturday, we went to the Royals game with Mallory and Casey. I think we can safely say that it was the last PK (pre-kid) game for me!
Sunday, we soaked up the sun at Shawnee Mission Park and met Lela, Mike, and Cooper for a session of swim/fetch.
With less than two weeks to my due date, this kiddo could be arriving any day! And as of this weekend, I am officially on maternity leave (my firm gives me two weeks prior to my due date). So the countdown is on…..and we have been finishing up a few little things in preparation. Here is a peak at the (almost) finished nursery.
Yes, there is one letter hanging – we were seeing what the letters looked like in the room, and accidentally forgot to take it down prior to a visit from Nanny and Papa Kurt. Oops! However, I’m not telling if it’s the first letter, an initial, etc!
Mallory and I enjoyed walking the Mother’s Day 5K this morning, while Elhers had a great time with Dad playing and cuddling with Auntie M!
Here’s to two special ladies in our lives. We appreciate all the lessons and love that you shared with us over the years. Thank you for being our moms. We love you!
Ryan,one day old.
Lindsay, one hour old.
Today Little Lady is officially full term – we are 37 weeks! As we are quickly coming upon the due date, I have the realization that we could be meeting our little girl any day now. With this realization, I have many mixed emotions. I am of course nervous and anxious to be a first time mom. I am a bit stressed at all the little things I still want to get done before her arrival. I’m ready to get my ‘normal’ body back, and stop feeling the painful ‘pressure’ from the her little head being down.
And I wonder about all that will be changing upon her arrival. We went to a movie last night, and I kept thinking, is this the last movie we will see before we are parents? (as a side note, I highly recommend AMC’s Main Street Theatre…it’s fantastic!). Or during a run or swim, I think, is this my last for a few weeks or months? Will tonight be the very last night that it’s just Ryan and I, all by ourselves? Are we ready for all these changes?
But even more, I think that I can not wait to meet our little girl, our new addition which will make our little family complete. We often sit and talk about what she’ll look like, whose eyes or toes she’ll have, will she be tall, will she have Ryan’s outgoing personality, will she love to read like her Mom? In just a few short days or weeks, we will begin to learn all the answers to our questions. And I think we are as ready as we’ll ever be!
Today was one of those incredibly perfect spring days – the sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky, amazing temperature. So Ryan, Lynnie, Elhers, and I met Doug and his lab mix Sarah at Loose Park to work on our tans and get a little exercise. Ryan was a bit camera happy, so I’ve included numerous pics – and as a disclaimer, yes, I realize I have worn this shirt in many posts, and you should expect to see it again, as I have approximately 3 weekend maternity outfits I feel comfortable in! :)
Hope you enjoyed this beautiful spring day as much as we did!
