It's a Baby Shower

 *Said like Franck Eggelhoffer, Father of the Bride, Part II. You've got to watch this. Magical.

 Here is our lovely abode at the moment and one of my shower cakes: 

As I sit here eating my cold, leftover spaghetti (which tastes like heaven), I am so overwhelmed! EVER SO GRATEFUL, but overwhelmed! Two baby showers in one week: one given by my GULS (Court, Molls, Meg, Hillary, Kate & Emmy) and the other by my work wife Rachel and faculty at school. Now…I guess this is where the nesting comes in handy! I've done a few things, but waiting on some storage for the nursery to actually put stuff away. Good thing I will have all of June, a mom and sister off work, and a husband who shakes his head “yes dear” when it comes to organizing, then exits to the garage.

The Usual Prego Update:

How Far Along: 32 weeks-she is getting rowdy in there, almost 4 lbs!

Maternity Clothes: still a mix of maternity and flowing regular tops, all maternity bottoms, as many dresses/skirts as possible

Sleep: up 2-3 times per night to feel my way to the bathroom and shift the belly.

Best Moment This Week: Katie has done an AMAZING job on the nursery walls (see her FB) and TWO baby showers! I walk in there every morning, smiling and talk to nobody-well, I guess Norah hears me. 

Miss Anything: Frozen Margaritas and allergy shots

Movement: I was right about having my own Sophia Grace in there! Always dancing/kicking/hiccupping! I got a cool video of her having the hiccups today-sister thought is was amazing, husband thinks its weird. Goof.

Food Cravings: I’m pretty open to any type of food…frequently.

Anything making me sick or nauseas: the “birthing” process…still in the fetal position crying with a mix of nervous laughter. Mom....

Gender: Got Pink?  

Labor Signs: “pressure down there” which is fun to explain at school as to why I have to stop walking, talking, snacking, etc. and rest for a minute. 

Symptoms: Sleepy. Hungry. Thirsty. Fussy. Repeat. (Am I a newborn? My family would have to say YES)

Belly Button: It’s out. Eva loves it. The husband, once again, thinks it looks weird. Can’t wait for his reaction in labor & delivery…once again, enter sisters/mom. 

Wedding Rings: On

Happy or Moody: 9 days left of school…I’m about to lose it. Just. Keep. Swimming.  

Looking Forward To: Shopping with the sista’s on Friday for hers room (I’ve already found the hot dog stand where I want to eat), Nesting, wedding/baby showers, last days of school...These are the Days of our Lives...

Hey There Serious Sally

I am literally so boring. I can’t sit outside and enjoy the weather due to my AWESOME allergies, so what “social” life I did have has now gone down the shi..I mean…gutter. On the upper, only 1 ankle is swollen at the end of the day, I have a lot of time to watch the Rangers and shop online. (The hubs only happy about the ankle and Rangers part.) The entertaining things that are happening I simply cannot put on here or I would never work in this town again.

I have had some requests for a belly picture. This is being taken into serious consideration. Maybe from my baby shower, maybe even turned to the side.

The Usual Prego Update:

How Far Along: 30 weeks…starting the HOMESTRETCH! BOOMSTICK!

Maternity Clothes: maternity tops, capris, shorts and dresses, cotton skirts, “regular tight tops,” TEXAS Rangers shirts (regular/tight, just FYI)

Sleep: goodness were people right about going into your third trimester-up at least 3 times a night for the facilities, blowing my nose or as Chase says “shifting” my belly. Mama tired. I know…it’s only just begun…(sung to the Carpenters)

Best Moment This Week: Fancy Nancy was in town, a great baby shower for Chase’s cousin, Amazon & ETSY orders being delivered (I have a serious problem. Chase wonders “Who is this ETSY and why do they have all of our money?!”)

Miss Anything: Just Frozen Margaritas this week…

Movement: This chick is going crazy in there! Rachel and I were sitting at my desk Friday and felt what was fo shizz an elbow/knee/huge bump.

Food Cravings: fruit and the husband’s burgers. I realized I eat a cantaloupe and 2 containers of strawberries each week by myself. #winning

Anything making me sick or nauseas: still thinking about the whole “birthing” process…*picture me in the fetal position crying-enter Mom and sisters*

Gender: It’s nice Fancy Norah Boo GibbyGul.

Labor Signs: Well, had to take a little break at the grocery store due to some “pressure down there”

Symptoms: Sleepy. Hungry. Thirsty. Fussy. Repeat. Allergies are a HOT MESS. I can’t wait for a shot after she gets here. (Liquor and Medicine) Actually, I would rather my allergy shot over some tequila even though they both clear up my airway, BUT we shall meet again Mr. Patron.

Belly Button: It’s out. And it’s gross. Eva tried to push it back in for me.

Wedding Rings: On and looking fabulous.

Happy or Moody: Emotional. I know, shocking.

Looking Forward To: Katie starting to work her magic in the nursery, Lindsey Kay’s prom and baby showers! We also can’t wait to meet the little Fancy Norah Boo! Our only requests are: a chubby bunny and red, curly hair! (And OF COURSE healthy!!!) 

Soap Box

**WARNING: Pretty Feisty, Red is in a MOOD**

Well, it’s come to a point where I must get on my soap box and be my usual Smart-A self. (I’m on my soap box about 97% of the time anyway so…um….take care.)

IF YOU CAN’T SAY ANYTHING NICE OR APPROPRIATE TO ME WITHIN THE NEXT 3 MONTHS, SIMPLY SMILE AND NOD.

“Wow, those horizontal stripes make you look wide!”

“Girl, you’ve got a looonnnggg ways to go!”

News flash: I am growing a human inside of me. That does not mean all of my other internal body parts went away. There is going to be some shifting and (OMG) growth! I like chubby babies and my baby girl will be a chubby bunny-that’s all there is to it. I’m going into my 7th month of being pregnant, not 2nd week. And, I don’t think the math is too complicated to figure out I don’t have that far to go…the rest of April, May, June, then BAM! *If you need help, I know a lot of fun Math songs with counting.*

“Will you be Breast feeding? Yes? No?”

Really any sort of breast feeding question should be off limits. How we feed our baby will be our business. Why people think this is an appropriate question baffles me. Seriously, I am going to start replying with:

“No, Chase is going to take care of that for me.”

Or maybe even throw the dog in there once or twice.

The word “breast” is weird anyway. I know, I know, it’s a beautiful thing, better for baby, yada yada yada. I would just prefer NOT to talk about unless at a small dinner with 3 other girls (Ahem), or a small girls group on a patio. At the end of the day, it is still my boob, my baby will get fed, and all will be at peace.

Ahhhhh…much better…questions/comments/concerns about my sanity? Send them to Santa. He probably gets some doozies!

The Usual Prego Update:

How Far Along: about to finish up 27 weeks-baby the size of a head of cauliflower

Maternity Clothes: belly bands, maternity tops, capris and dresses, cotton skirts, “regular tight tops,” TEXAS Rangers shirts

Sleep: only getting up two times per night and have moved a fan right in front of me-gotta love that fun change into the Texas heat

Best Moment This Week: CLASSIC conversation with Marmee. Golden material for my SNL auditions. DYING to let her let me share on here. Another entertaining Guls birthday dinner for Auntie Courty. Me: “I’m hot, I’m full, I can’t breathe, my eyes never stop watering and my upper lip is out of control!” Gul: “Me too!” And a few other fun topics of conversation ;)

Miss Anything: Sushi, Frozen Margaritas, COLD Mexican Beer…homestretch.

Movement: Lots of hiccups so my belly is always bouncing

Food Cravings: M&M’s, ice cream, frozen fruit, my homemade baked chicken nuggets

Anything making me sick or nauseas: starting to think about the whole “birthing” process…

Gender: Hers nice girl

Labor Signs: some low pains that give me a little jolt-more stretching I am guessing.

Symptoms: Sleepy. Hungry. Thirsty. Fussy. Repeat. (Hmmm, sounds like a newborn.)

Belly Button: It’s getting ready to POP. 

Wedding Rings: On, but not all 3 at the same time.

Happy or Moody: Sleepy.

Looking Forward To: Starting to decorate the nursery and get stuff organized! I am a “TYPE A” personality and things have to be put in their spot. Random baby stuff around the house is driving me crazy. (Yes, I know after she gets here it will be different, but I’m thinking I’ll be too tired to care.) Until then, I need some order people!

Hello, Hi

Well, well, well…so we meet again.

Nothing too exciting to report.

-Made it (barely) through testing at school.

-Reading book 3 of Hunger Games. Mind Blowing.

-Cooking & baking up a storm. (Lots of help from the crock pot!)

Questions, comments or concerns?  Send to the Hubs, my Mom, Sisters, or my work wife, Rachel. They are pretty top notch at reading my mood these days…or just shaking their heads, nodding and smiling.

The Usual Prego Update:

How Far Along: 26 weeks: Norah the size of a head of lettuce

Maternity Clothes: belly bands, maternity tops and dresses, cotton skirts, still “regular tight tops” *need a mystic tan stat!*

Sleep: Not too bad… only getting up about 2-3 times each night for the facilities or to tell the hubs/pup to stop snoring

Best Moments: Friday we got a special package-hers Easter basket/bucket. I thought until next year we could just use it in the nursery. I found it on ETSY. (click on ETSY for shop link) 

Also, registering for baby girl! I think Emmy had more fun than I did with all the pink! Kate and I took Cole to the mall Sunday to ride the train. I have never seen him so excited-we were even going to ride it twice! Well, the damn thing NEVER showed up. Poor Cole kept saying “We are gonna find that train! It’s hiding!” So, hims ended up with a cookie and seemed pretty happy! Next time Coley-Bean!!

Miss Anything: Cold Lunch meat, Sushi, Frozen Margaritas, COLD Mexican Beer especially now that patio weather has begun!

Movement: Hers has the hiccups all the time! It’s so cute. My sisters finally felt her kick and Auntie Rachel felt her foot pressing on my belly. (Very magical, romantic moments if I do say so myself)

Food Cravings: Cold fruit, M&M’s, ice cream (Bring on the weight!)

Anything making me sick or nauseas: doing pretty well now

Gender: Daddy’s Little girl

Labor Signs: None, but need to start getting in shape! Pacing my classroom for 2 full days during testing about killed me!

Symptoms: Sleepy. Hungry. Thirsty. Repeat.

Belly Button: Um…is there a word for in the middle? 

Wedding Rings: On, but not all 3 at the same time.

Happy or Moody: Really just depends on what I am doing and the crowd. I feel bad that I get so annoyed SO EASILY, but my Doctor assured me that is "tre normal."

Looking Forward To: Starting to decorate the nursery (Hubs and Pop Pop almost done painting!) Opening day for the Rangers (because I have the cutest shirt ever),upcoming wedding and baby showers, new episdoes of SNL, a 4-5-4 day work schedule the next 3 weeks, and Auntie Courty’s BURTHDAY/GULS dinner!

Best Comment: “Wow, my shirt would fit you so much better. It’s a large.” (Because my medium is obviously offending you. Have a LOVELY day.) *Once again, for those who know me, please sub any words with what you really think was going through my head during my fake laugh/smile/nod.*

Spring Break and Weekend Update with Baby Mama Gibson

Well Spring Break flew by yet again…I had a great time with my family and being able to rest.  All I could think about is “at this time next year I will be toting around my little mini-me.” So exciting…and scary!

Pop Pop Gibson and the Hubs got a great start to painting the nursery which makes Mama very happy.  (Then Auntie KK can start decorating!) Chase thought this was a very special occasion, hence the tuxedo t-shirt. ßsee link; it describes our feelings exactly.

On Thursday, Marmee, Emmy, Cole and I took Eva Kate to Sweet and Sassy for her 4^th birthday! Then her and Cole did a little photo shoot around the mall..cheeseballs!

The week ended with an AMAZING golf tournament put on by our crew to raise money for breast cancer! It was such a fun day (even without beer for me!) and we were able to make a great donation!

 How Far Along: Finishing up 23 weeks; "baby girl the size of grapefruit" (All of a sudden their comparisons are getting smaller...so I am guessing she is bigger than a grapefruit.)

 Maternity Clothes:  Cotton skirts, some maternity tops, some “tight” regular tops that I ROCK.

Sleep: I can fall asleep fine (as long as I have not had liquid within the past hour or 5), but getting back to sleep is not going well. I cannot shut this brain off! And WEIRD dreams....

Memorable Moments: Chase felt her kick for the first time!

 Miss Anything: The option of having Sushi, Frozen Margaritas and COLD Mexican Beer

Movement:  Hers just so busy! (Except when my family wants to feel her!) 

 Food Cravings: Cold fruit, muffins, hot decaf tea in the morning, cereal

Anything making me sick or nauseas: not a thing due to Spring Break!

Gender: Gibby Gul  

Labor Signs:  Check back with me in June-ish

Symptoms:  Weather is changing, so allergies out the wa-zoo, semi-swollen feet at the end of the day

Belly Button: Any. Day. Now.

Wedding Rings: On, but not all at the same time. 

Happy or Moody: ANNOYED WITH EVERYTHING. I mean EVERYTHING. I have to remind myself “Sarah, change your attitude.” 

 Looking Forward To:  Hunger Games movie on Friday and starting to decorate the nursery!

Best Comment This Week: "Are you sure there is just 1 baby in there?!" 

Decision 2012

Her actual FIRST name wasn’t the hard part….

-The Spelling

-The Middle Name

-The Abbreviated Middle Name

-The Initials (And What They Would Spell)

-Listing all possible nicknames (Good and Bad-which got pretty entertaining!)

Let me address some of the issues above:

The Spelling: No, not Tori. (Even though I LOVE HER.) I wanted her name to end in an “h” like mine of course. Husband thought everyone would spell it wrong. Well, people spell my name wrong and I get over it. (Hell, my maiden name was always fun to spell!)

The Middle Name: I wanted it the same as my middle name. (Of course, again.) But, the husband’s “legal” name is also a family name on my side, so we were back and forth for awhile. My oldest sister and I share a middle name, (creative Marmee and Grumpy!), but the middle sister shares with Mom, so it was not hard for me to change it because I didn’t want Auntie KK to feel left out.

The Abbreviated Middle Name: I thought of maybe using the last part of my middle name, which is still a really cute name. Sometimes I would practice “getting on to her” and say her name really fast. It sounded good. Really good…BUT, we weren’t in love with it.

The Initials: Ehh…they spell a word, they don’t spell a word. All I care about is if the monogram looks cute.

Nicknames: Hers, Nice Girl, GibbyGul, Dora, Aurora, Mi Amora…she doesn’t stand a chance.

So…here it is! 

Norah (with an H) Francis (after Hubby and My Aunt) Gibson

Love it or Hate it, see my previous blog about “diarrhea of the mouth”....

*Got another good one today: “Wow, you look really pregnant today!” “Good, because I am really pregnant!”)

 We have loved this name for so long and are so excited to welcome baby girl July 2012! 

Sh*t People Say to Pregnant Women (Me) That Causes the Stink Eye

I am not quite sure when the “diarrhea of the mouth virus” started going around this season. I am guessing about my fourth month when this belly popped out.  One of the posters in my classroom says “Before you Speak, THINK.” I know, I am one to talk about the inappropriate comment or two (or ten) but NEVER to an emotional, hormonal pregnant woman. Here are some of the good ones so far:

“Oh my goodness! You are carrying so high! That means all of your stretch marks will be up here!” (While this person is touching my belly.)

“Is that top maternity? Oh, regular? Just really tight?”

“Whoa! You are going to have one big baby girl!”

“Wow-by the end of the school year you are going to need some large t-shirts!”

Come on ladies. Work with me here! Thank the good lord I have the best fake laugh ever and a semi-believable smile.

 The Usual Prego Update:

How Far Along: Finishing up 21 weeks-baby girl is the size of a papaya!

 Maternity Clothes: Belly Bands with work pants, breezy maternity tops and “really tight regular tops”

Sleep: Hardcore

Memorable Moments: A great girl’s dinner Saturday night! *Love having the girls give me lots-o-advice about the hospital/delivery* Next time I will be taking notes so I can tell the nurses “Yes I can! My friends said!”

Miss Anything: The option of having certain Sushi, Frozen Margaritas and COLD Mexican Beer

Movement: I got an awesome wake up call Saturday morning. She is so much more active on the weekends-or I just notice it more! I had a cherry coke Saturday at lunch and it really got her going in there.

Food Cravings: STRAWBERRIES, muffins, hot decaf tea in the morning

Anything making me sick or nauseas: the smell of our hallway at school

Gender: My sweet Dora Aurora Mi Amora  

Labor Signs: Still just the housework…

Symptoms: Sleepy. Hungry. Belly-licious.

Belly Button: In-ish

Wedding Rings: On, but not all at the same time.

Happy or Moody: Depends on my location and activities at the time. Sleeping: Happy. Eating: pretty happy. 

Looking Forward To: SPRING BREAK. T-Minus 1 work week…lunches, naps, getting the hair did, naps, lunches, and getting the hubs into high gear on the nursery.