Buttons + Dessert + Friends = A Baby Shower!

How blessed am I to have such amazing family and friends! This shower was so fun and made me realize how many people all ready love this little peanut. I never imagined having a baby shower, had I tried, I could not have imagined one better than this!

THE GIRL

Well, there she is! Taking up my whole mid-section!

THE GRUB

Hooray for dessert! My awesome shower planners made all my favorite things! Yum!

THE GIT-UP

Everything was decorated SO cute! Love the buttons! Little Girl got a jar to take home a keep in her room! Guests filled out the little brown cards with good wishes or advice. I'm sure those will come in handy!

HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPO
Yea, clearly I enjoyed my dessert! I remember stealing some off Heather's plate too. If you enjoy your food, don't sit next to me at a meal! ;)

PLAYING THE GAME
All my friends playing a fun game where they had to match pregnancy terms with candy bar names. Examples: The Dad at Conception? Big Hunk!....Epidurals? Lifesavers!....Post Baby Belly? Jelly Belly! Ok, that last one isn't funny.

THE LOOT

We received so many great gifts! Who knew such a little person needed so much! Itty bitty clothes, books, blankets, room decorations - So fun!

PARTY PLANNING EXTRAORDINAIRES
These girls did such a great job! I loved all the decor and special touches. And, of course I loved the dessert! They know me well!

The Sisters - Olivia and Lindsay

Me - n- Bri

Aly and I

MOMS - TO - BE

Natalie and I shared a shower weekend. Hers on Saturday and mine on Sunday. How fun to celebrate together! She is having a boy...possible son in law??!! And, we are only a few weeks apart!

THE FRIENDS

A few great friends! Love these pretty girls!

Thirty Going on Ten

Let the countdown begin! Funny how I've hit this 'milestone' week and immediately my counting changes. I now say I have 10 weeks to go instead of saying I'm 30 weeks! It must help me sleep at night to see the number go down.

I know this picture is exactly what you wanted to see. Trust me, I don't enjoy looking at it either. Nevertheless, it gives you some visual of the babe so we'll all just have to take what we're given until she's here!

BABY STATS

• Cabbage is the veggie of choice as far as weight which is about 3 pounds.
• She comes in at about 15 inches from head to toe.
  
• She is surrounded by a pint and a half of amniotic fluid and that volume will increase over the next few weeks.
• Her eyesight is still developing but isn't very good. In fact it wont even be that great when she's born. Let's hope she's got her mother's eyes, they work better than her dad's.
• She's still a wiggle worm. For a few days she slowed down which kind of made me nervous, but she didn't stay still for long! She's back to her normal, non-stop dance party. I guess everyone gets tired at some point.
  

MAMA STATS

• Oh the weight gain. Ugh. I've gained 12 pounds which I know isn't a ton, but it feels like a ton! I keep wondering how people gain weight and continue to live. The life lesson here: I will never ever allow myself to be fat.
  
• Luckily for the bank account I'm still wearing regular clothing. I've only had to purchase maternity jeans. Other things I've purchased are all things I can wear after as well.
  
• I'm getting really tired. Tired of being big, tired of being tired, tired of being pregnant.
  
• I'm SUPER crabby. Dan said I need to wipe that look of my face or it's going to stay that way. I'm working on it!

DADDY STATS

• Dan officially set up the new carpet for beginning of May-yea!!! This means we have to get down to business right quick. Anyone feel like painting??!!
• His Crossfit workouts are going well. He said he wants his daughter to know him as thin and in shape. I reminded him my new life outlook of never getting fat applies to him as well.
  
• The other night he said to me "I just can't wait to hold her" Whoa, big moment. We are both just now starting to realize that while this part sucks, there really is a prize at the end. Still makin progress.
  

10 Sweet Years

Happy 10th Birthday Stella! I can't believe this girl is 10! She is just the sweetest cat, sometimes too sweet. But, it's a good balance considering her cat brother is from hell for lack of a better description ;) I mean, come on, look at this face! What's not too love!?!

This is quite possible my favorite picture of her! She was sleeping on Dan's poker table and I just wanted a picture to show him....the results as you can see, were better than expected!

She does love to play with her brother!

She's the sweetest sleeper

She's also great at cleaning! I never have to dust those shutters!!

Happy Birthday Stelle Belle Girl! We love you and your constant need for running water. For your sake, we hope water meters are not installed in your lifetime! ;)

29 Weeks

BABY STATS

• Weight and length are still the same as last week: 2.5 pounds and 15 inches give or take.
  
• She can now regulate her own body temperature. Or her brain can for that matter.
• She can cry. How sad is that?! I'm okay with crying if I make her cry, but inside me, alone, with no one to tell her it's okay? Rough.
• She's packin on the pounds. This will smooth out her skin and make her just right for pinching.
  

MAMA STATS

• I had a doctor appointment today. All is well!
• The official weight gain so far is 12 pounds. Oh my... As in Oh My Yogurt! Better start easing up on the sweet treats!
• Leg cramps are terrible. Okay, I shouldn't say that. I've had three in about 4 weeks. But I try to avoid them with tons of water and eating healthy and it just doesn't see to matter. I really don't like them.

DADDY STATS

• Dan started Cross Fit this week. He is sore and complains like an old lady. That's mean but true! I told him he only has one week to complain after that I don't want to hear it.
• He is starting to grasp the "Pregnancy makes my wife completely insane and I should just do what she asks" concept.
  
• He's about to start preparing for a little painting to get ready for new carpet! This does not excite him at all. I on the other hand am beyond thrilled.
  

Showering the Dogs!

The dogs get to celebrate too! This past weekend was my first shower (I know, I know, pictures are coming soon!) and I felt like the dogs shouldn't be left out. Since they couldn't come to the shower I bought them their own special treat to enjoy in celebration of their baby sister! I think as long as they keep getting treats like this they won't mind having her around so much! ;)

Jake actually ate the frosting! He usually refuses!

Jersey of course had no problem scarfing hers and making sure Jake didn't leave any behind! Gotta love a girl who can eat!

Top of the Third...

..Trimester that is! Not much changes these days. But, since I have deemed this an appropriate baby book I figured I better keep up on my weeks!

28 WEEKS

BABY STATS:

• We're still in the 2 pound range coming in around 2.5
  
• Length is just about 15 inches
  
• She's got eyelashes!
• It's time to get chubby! Yea! Now that most things are where they need to be she's got to get down to business and get fat! Jersey needs a break, we need something else to pinch.
  

MAMA and DADDY STATS:

• I had my first shower this past weekend. So much fun! (Pictures are coming!)
• Dan and I both look at all the nice things we got and feel so thankful for our friends. We also feel completely overwhelmed, unorganized and so unsure of what to do now! Time to clean I guess!
• Sleeping is starting to decline in time and quality. But not by too much so I can't complain too much. I'm learning to stay up a little later so I sleep for a good chunk of time.
  
• Dan may have a shift change coming up. Hopefully it's not too drastic...just when we thought we had something under control! ;)
  

The Last Hurrah

Before this little babe shows up, we decided a great vacation was in order! So we headed to Pebble Beach for a few days where we could enjoy some of our favorite things! For Dan that meant golf, a little more golf and good food. For myself: a spa day, a shopping day and of course, good food!

The 18th hole at Pebble Beach. This was after my spa day and Dan's round at Pebble... Looks like two happy people if you ask me!

The view from our balcony.

View to the left.

View to the right.

A fairway at Spyglass

Dan always meets the most amazing people when he golfs here. This time was no exception! This is Robin, Kim and Dave..quite a fun group! We ended up having dinner with them and made plans for a visit when we are in San Diego in May. We love new friends!

View on Pebble Beach

Dan and Mike on 7. Dan's friend Mike was able to meet him for a round at Pebble!

The boys after their round on 18.

Before we left, I realized we did a really bad job taking pictures. So this is a great self timed moment on our balcony just before our bags were taken away :( We we're both so sad to go. I may have cried a little. Damn hormones! ;)

You Gotta Have Faith

Faith Grauman 2001 - 2011

On April 1, 2011 we lost our dear bunny Faith. Faith was out enjoying the nice weather when she suddenly passed away from natural causes.
Faith started her life as Faith Macdonald under the care of a young Olivia Macdonald. She enjoyed taking walks on her leash, snuggling inside the pocket of Olivia's sweatshirt and laying in the grass. In late 2007 Faith was adopted by Dan and Nicole Grauman where she enjoyed the last 3.5-ish years of her life.
Faith was a happy and healthy mini rex bunny who enjoyed sunshine, fresh fruit and vegetables and had a great love for her cat brother Silvio. When inside the house the pair would often be found hanging out together.
Most recently Faith could be found in her pen in the corner of the flower bed munching on a snack, laying by a cool water bottle or digging a hole to find cool dirt when Dan wasn't looking! She very much enjoyed her visits inside the house on stormy nights when Nicole would sneak her in after Dan had gone to work!
She is survived by her parents Dan and Nicole, her brothers Jake and Silvio, sisters Stella and Jersey and the entire Macdonald Family.
Faith will always be remembered as a strong yet sweet little bunny with whom we all share great memories and lived a LONG and happy life. We are saddened with the thought that she will never meet her human sister.
On April 1, 2011 she was laid to rest at the Macdonald Family Pet Cemetery joining the many beloved family pets who have gone before her.

Rest in peace little bunny.

Out on the grass! He favorite place to be!

Cozy inside her cage.

Hanging out with her best buddy Silvio!

Enjoying the indoors during a storm!

Faith enjoying the yard and visiting with Jersey!

24, 25, 26 and 27

Wow do we have some catching up to do! Weeks 24-27 have been quick and busy ones! Here is a quick catch up. I promise to get back on track next week!

BABY STATS: (Week 27 Stats)

• Weighing in at 2 pounds (Each book.website says something different. 2lbs is average)
• Length about 14 inches
  
• Move it or lose it! That's how this girl thinks she needs to live! She's still not waking me up, but when I am awake there in constant, non-stop movement. This is no exaggeration.
  
• Body basics... Eyes can open to see shadows, lungs are moving and working, hair is growing and her brain is working hard!
  
• In her free time, she may be sucking her thumb or playing with the umbilical cord.
• She still has no name. We tell people we've narrowed it down and have a list, but in reality those are lies. We really have no clue what to call her!
  

MAMA STATS

• I have been feeling great! Until I decided to stop the medication. Not such a good idea, there goes my non-puking streak.
  
• I've gained about 9 pounds...not fun, but it's also not a lot so I can't complain. At least not out loud ;)
• My only clothing adjustment has been a pair of maternity jeans. They are so comfy! Oh, and tennis shoes...the high heels and boots couldn't hang.

DADDY STATS

• Dan still hasn't gained any sympathy weight. In fact, he's probably lost what I've gained.
  
• He helped clear out her room this week in preparation for new paint and carpet...good bye extra bed, dog crate and laundry.
• As usual not much has changed for him, except aliens have inhabited his wife's mind and body making her act like a total lunatic. Ah, okay, now I see why he golfs.