Merry Christmas!!!

26 weeks!

Realization

Today I got hit hard with how soon Miss Amelia will be making her appearance. Sounds crazy, I know but in my mind, it's S-O-O-N. Though I understand from all my friends that the last month or so will feel like F-O-R-E-V-E-R!

I decided that with 5 community Walk MS events taking place during my maternity leave, I REALLY need to make sure I'm on the ball. It also doesn't help that my manager is taking over my events for me. Anyone having to take over for me would stress me out, but it's a whole new level being MY BOSS. So, I decided to do a week-by-week plan for after the New Year about what I want/need to accomplish each week. Umm, SCARY reality check that was! Eleven, yes 11, weeks is what I am giving myself to definitely be here with hopes that it's 12 - 14 weeks. Well, that's what I say now when I'm not wishing every moment for this child to be out of me. And please, don't ask me what happens if someone decides to show-up early.

So, that little project was like turning on a HUGE lightbulb and made me want to run into a dark closet and hide. I am glad I did it but ugh, I think my anxiety level has tripled. Lord, help me!

Then, I log onto here for whatever reason and see that my little ticker on top says "about 99 days to go!" Excuse me, WHAT?!?!?!? I'm less than 100 days from my Estimated Due Date? Dear Lord, again, help me! And yet again I will say that I realize that my perspective on this will change and I'm sure I'll be wishing the days to fly by, but for now, I'm freaking out.

And, while I've known this all along, the idea that I'm going to be responsible for a tiny, helpless human being in possibly less than 100 days. A human being who can't tell me what she wants and will just cry and scream at me and leave me praying for sleep. Umm, what we were we thinking? I know I love kids and I really wanted to have our own but seriously, am I capable of doing this? Too late to turn back now, I know. I guess I'll figure out. Actually, I guess WE will figure it out - Shaun is not getting out of this one. :)

Alright, that HAS to be the end of that freak out...

Today is our 3rd anniversary. We're going out to dinner tonight at a place called The Bearded Frog. I had to laugh because I realize that we also considered The Belted Cow. What funny names for places that are regarded for having such phenomenal food. The last three years have flown by considering I can recall details of our wedding day so vividly. I am a lucky woman with an amazing husband. A husband who will be the best daddy to his baby girl. I look forward to the things that we'll experience in our next year of marriage and all that awaits us many years down the road. It's with him by my side that I'll survive the next 99 (or so) days and hopefully do it without losing all my dignity! :)

A wintery photo shoot

Here's a few photos our friend Kathleen Landwehrle took for us down in Stowe one COLD Sunday afternoon...

Where did we get all this stuff?

Maybe I'm nesting. Or maybe I'm just tired of the messes. Either way, I'm trying to clean up the house and my continual realization is that we have too much stuff!

I wouldn't call myself a pack rat but I love memory reminders. I have recently come across boxes in the basement with pictures that flooded me with memories of high school, college and even elementary school. Among the photos are awards, stuffed animals, t-shirts and other items that remind me of a life that past not that long ago but feel lifetimes away. But where do you draw the line? Looking at all this stuff is amazing for me but at what expense do I continue to take up space in the basement? Is it okay to keep some of these boxes in the corner to pull-out every once in awhile and once I'm gone, let someone else throw them away?

Having a semi-finished basement is a fabulous place to store as much as we want without people seeing it. However, I don't want to think of that as my savior because when we DO finish off the basement, we'll have a kid, or two, to manage while I weed through it all. Then I might toss things I don't want to get rid of because I don't have time to deal with it. But maybe that's the answer?

Ugh. I don't know. I just want a clean house for the New Year that stays clean for more than a day or two. I want ONE closet in our bedroom. I can do without the one on the bedroom floor and the one growing out of the tub in our bathroom. I want a kitchen counter that doesn't get covered in crap when Shaun comes home from work. I want things have a place. I want to get back to the days where I would clean-up every Sunday and it only took an hour or so to do the whole house.

I guess I want a lot. And, sitting here telling you about it isn't helping clean the house. So, off to organizing I go.

25 weeks

24 Weeks

Update

I'm 24 weeks and 1 day today. I had a regular appointment with my OB today. She confirmed what I suspected - Miss Amelia is breach. Not a big deal with so far to go but hopefully that kid isn't too comfortable and will change positions before she doesn't have enough room to spin around. The only reason I'd like her to move now is because I think it would be easier for Shaun to feel her kick. Oh well, hopefully she'll be a good girl and not have to be forcefully encouraged later on.

I get to do the glucose test at my next appointment. Oh what fun!

I am battling yet another cold. Grrr! Tonight is Shaun's holiday party at Topnotch. I am looking forward to sleeping in the comfy bed and seeing some old co-workers whom I miss. Tomorrow we were supposed to meet a friend of mine who is a photographer to do a holiday card photo. Since it's going to be so darn windy we've rescheduled for Sunday. Hopefully the snow we got today will stay and the sun will come out and play with us. *Fingers crossed.*

Off to the party I go. I am taking the camera and my "24 weeks" sign so we can get a pic of me in my dress. :) I'll post it tomorrow.

Things we've gotten already

I haven't had a shower yet (a baby shower - I shower everyday *smile*) but we already have quite a few things from some great friends who have passed things on from their little ones.

A pack-n-play and extra stroller from Sandy & Bryan

A bassinet from Yael & Josh

(plus TONS of maternity clothes)

A baby bathtub, seat, mirror, bottle warmer, bottle rack, papasan chair

& wipes warmer from Rey & Ann.

Along with some really cute outfits & the sweetest pair of shoes!

I think there's something missing but that's the most of it. It's amazing how much stuff is needed for such a little person! :) Oh well, thankfully we have very generous and helpful friends that are helping us out.

Moving things around

I love the way we had our house setup but when it really came down to it there wasn't a place for a kid to play. Especially with bigger toys like exersaucers and walkers. So, I was inspired to make some changes. While the real dining room table doesn't fit into the kitchen area as well as our old one, it did allow us to create a room with space.

We moved the older, smaller table into the fireplace room, which was the dining room and set it up as a computer desk for the iMac. We then moved the bigger, newer table into the kitchen/nook space as our regular table. That table is monstrous so it wasn't as good of a fit but it works. Now in the fireplace room we have the old table setup with the computer, a futon and a big space in the middle of the room to play. Now we just have to find a rug. And Shaun doesn't want a braided rug. He wants a soft rug. A rug soft enough to sleep on. Yea, we'll see about that.

Bigger, newer table now our everyday table.

Kitchen with new table setup.

Fireplace setup with SPACE!

(the little rug will go - I was just seeing how big (not at all!) it was & so will the pile of towels and blankets)

23 Weeks

Finally some color - no black or gray!!

Going Cross-Eyed

Oh goodness, there's so much stuff for babies! Thankfully we have been given some great stuff already so that helps and we're so grateful. However, there's so much more that we will probably need to get at some point. So, I've been trying to get our registries tightened up because people have been asking for them. I am a computer girl. I love going online, surfing the web, checking out Facebook and just in general, being on the computer. However, I'm going completely cross-eyed trying to do this registry stuff!

We're registering at Target and Babies-R-Us. Between trying to make sure I register for something at the store that has the best price and making sure I'm finding stuff that isn't the most expensive but well-rated to checking with friends about what they recommend for brands and what we need or don't need, I'm giving myself a headache!! I have a hard time coming up with stuff I want for Christmas or my birthday and now I'm having to come up with a list of stuff (expensive to boot!) we need for Miss Amelia. It's stressful but I'm working on it. And, hating it. :)

22 weeks

Who do I thank?

We received this beautiful ornament in the mail. Unfortunately it came with no card so I have no idea who to thank.

I wanted to call the company and ask who made the order. The return address on the box had a website so I typed in the URL. I double checked it three times. Must not be the right web address for this gorgeous artwork because it was a porn site. LOL!

So, I Googled the name of the company and found them that way. I called but they didn't answer so I'm guessing they are closed until Monday. I was bummed I couldn't find out because I want to know who to thank for the lovely surprise that I'm looking forward to putting on our tree when we set it up this weekend.

If you sent it, please let me know!

UPDATE: The ornament is from Rachel!  :)

Umm, where are my feet?

Taken from my point of view looking down...

I feel like it's too early to be missing my feet...

And, I'm really NOT that big...

Maybe it's because I have small feet - really, I do (I can wear a 6.5)!!

21 weeks

Jackpot!

My friend Abby emailed me a link to Craigslist post the other day that was for someone getting rid of a bunch of girl's clothes for $75.  I requested pictures, saw that they looked pretty good and asked when her daughter was born.  Turns out she had her on March 31st.  BINGO! 

Yesterday I went and looked at them.  They were all in great shape.  I don't think I saw a single stain so I gave her the money and lugged home 2 huge garbage bags of clothes.  Shaun and I had so much fun going through them and she asked if she could keep my info so she can call me when she's ready to get rid of more stuff.  After seeing everything, I definitely said "yes."

20 weeks

Since this was the week we found out we're having a girl I thought it would be fun to get 2 of my favorite girls in on the photo.  

Here's Abby, Anna and I welcoming Amelia to the Pinky Girls Club.

Here's Anna saying "HI" to Amelia and kissing my tummy.

And this one is hands down my favorite.  We're comparing bellies!

The Grass isn't Always Greener on the Other Side

WARNING: This post may exceed TMI for any of our male readers.  :)

I knew one of the things that went along with a growing belly during pregnancy, is growing boobs. But holy smokes!  I have only gained 6lbs so far and at this rate, my chest is going to stick out more than my belly if things continue the way they are going.  I'm feel like a porn star. With a B-cup to start with, I must have been naive to think that I'd only go up 2 cups in all. WRONG!  I've been informed by friends that the D-cup nursing bra I snuggly fit into now will be too small by the time my milk comes in.  Dear Lord!

There were times I wondered why I was robbed of the bigger chests all the other women in my family as I'd look for push-up bras to give me a little more "umph" in a dress.  Now, I shout out "HALLELUJAH!" for the times I was able to wear cute tops with shelf bras and if I really wanted, go commando around the house.  I guess it takes having to check the mirror in 5 different views to make sure the girls aren't hanging out to appreciate that less is more.  

Daddy's Guess

This was taken in the car just before we went inside for our ultrasound.

AND, I think he was about 70% sure it was a boy.

Expecting Amelia Jennifer "AJ" Zemanek

The white line at the top in the center is her thigh bone.  Go down and to the right of that line and you'll see a bunch of little white areas.  That's her girlhood.  :)

19 weeks

We'll find our what our munchkin is on Thursday afternoon. Hopefully Little Z will cooperate. We're looking forward to knowing what color to paint the nursery!  :)

Can you guess what is carved into our pumpkin?

I did the best I could.  There was no stencil so I had to draw it by hand.

Week 18

(see shirt image in other post below)

Kaelani the Monkey

We got a visit from a friendly monkey named Kaelani...

She's a silly monkey.

 

Looking out for trick-or-treators

Happy Halloween!!

P.S. I'll add a picture of me wearing the shirt later on tonight when Shaun gets home.

Halloween at Shelburne Museum with Mary and Her Little Lamb

Last Sunday I joined to the Hoppes to take Mary and her Little Lamb to Shelburne Museum's Halloween festival for some trick-or-treating.  Aren't these kids so darn cute?  LOVE THEM!

By the way, that's all your getting for a Week 17 photo.  None of them came out well so I'm not posting one - sorry!

Dear God, it's me, ShawnnaLea. I just want to fell better. Can you help?

Even when I'm not pregnant I don't like being sick. I'm the girl who would drag myself to school because I didn't want to admit I didn't feel well. When I did complain of not feeling well my mom pretty much knew I wasn't lying.

With all the hype about H1N1 I've tried to be super careful. Washing my hands more often and even using hand sanitizer anytime I touch my nose. Well my cautious actions weren't enough and I've gotten something. Luckily whatever it is doesn't include a fever. But absence of a fever isn't making me feel any better.

Yesterday at my OB appt they told me I should go home and sleep off what I was thinking was a sinus infection that moved down to my chest. Given that I am still the hideout for our little munchkin I was told I could have cough medicine and my inhaler. My Primary Care said they wouldn't even see me if I didn't have a fever so not to expose me to the many patients with fevers loitering in their waiting room. So, off to bed I went.

Sleeping was nice but didn't do much for my painfully dry cough, tight chest or achy lower back. By the time I went to bed last night I truly thought I'd be able to function this morning. My multiple trips to the bathroom during the night seemed to confirm this positive thinking as it got less painful to get up. Boy was I wrong.

I made it as far as the toilet and turning on the shower before I had to sit down. The thought of having to undress and stand in the shower seemed impossible. I couldn't even begin to think about washing my hair or that belly bump. When I could muster the energy I admitted defeat, turned off the shower and returned to bed. I am bummed to admit that today I feel worse than yesterday. Yesterday I could breathe. Today I'm struggling even with the wonderful Breathe Right strips I swear by. Yesterday I drank more than a gallon of water. Today I've thrown up all the water I've drank. Yesterday I ate. Today I forced down some applesauce and two bites of yogurt before I felt green. So far they're still in my system. Unfortunately I'm very dehydrated and need to force myself to try water again. Keep your fingers crossed I don't need the big mixing bowl on the floor by my bed since I can't move fast enough to make it to a sink or toilet.


I will get through this and who knows, maybe I'll come out of it stronger for not putting myself in an OTC-drug-induced state like I would have pre-Little Z. And if not, it's still worth it for our munchkin.

Okay, I'm wiped out. Back to sleep I go.

16 weeks

In addition to hitting 16 weeks, today's my mom's birthday. So from Little Z as Dave Hoppe has affectionally nicknamed our little munchkin, "Happy Birthday, Grandma!"

15 weeks

HAVE and HAVE NOT

I thought it was about time I share some of the things I HAVE and HAVE NOT gotten used to so far in my pregnancy.

For the most part, I HAVE gotten used to the bump that makes my clothes uncomfortable. I HAVE NOT supplemented my wardrobe very well with maternity clothes yet but I’m making do. And I have to say, I LOVE my GAP maternity jeans. They are amazingly comfortable and I think they look more flattering on me than my non-maternity jeans.

I HAVE NOT gotten used to the double takes people take when they look me. I finally havea belly bum so stop having that mental debate about whether I'm fat or pregnant. I'm pregnant!

I HAVE gotten used to the idea that we’re not going to find out what our munchkin is until November 12^th. I know some people think that we should wait. I’m not trying to be rude but thank you for your opinion but you are not going to change my mind. I was thrilled enough to find out I was pregnant – THAT was the greatest surprise life could give me. If we want to find out the sex, we will and we’ll be just as surprised on November 12^th as the day our little one arrives. And, if he/she arrives and is the opposite sex than what we’re told, in a few weeks than we’ll have an even bigger surprise.

I HAVE NOT gotten used to the sciatic pain I’m experiencing. Wow! Let me tell you, I have always been proud of my high tolerance for pain. I don’t complain about much and when it comes to deep tissue massages, the deeper, the better. This pain makes me feel like a wimp. My butt is continually sore and twice weekly trips to the chiropractor are hopefully helping.

I HAVE gotten used to Anna kissing my belly whenever she sees me and asking what the baby is up to. She is so darn cute – I cannot stand it sometimes.

I HAVE NOT gotten used to the growing size of my chest. People told me one of the first things that happened to them when they got pregnant was their boobs got bigger. Mine, not so much. But now - Hello, Girls! I think Shaun is loving it but let's be honest, what man wouldn't love thier wife's chest getting bigger? J

I HAVE gotten used to being a total bum. It drove me crazy at first but I’m realizing more and more that I should take advantage of these opportunities to sleep and take care of myself. J Sometimes it still drives me a little nuts that I’m so tired but my energy seems to be coming back and I’m learning to embrace it all.

I HAVE NOT gotten used to the return of my migraines. They have come back with a vengeance and I don’t like it. They are debilitating and frequent. When I don’t have a migraine, I have a headache. I’m living through them but LOVE my chiropractor who is doing everything he can to help with my head and my glutes.

I HAVE gotten used to sleeping on my side. This has been very hard considering I’m a belly sleeper. Since the doctor didn’t want me to get used to sleeping on my back and the sciatic paint really didn’t allow it, I have moved straight into sleeping on my side. Poor Shaun now gets to put up with me taking up my half of the bed plus the pillow I shove under my back to keep me on my side.

I’m sure there’s more but I’ve got to save something for another day. And, I wanted to give Shaun a chance to offer up his HAVE and HAVE NOTs. J He’s been amazing and I love him so much for all he’s doing to make this as comfortable as possible for me.

Shaun says he HAS gotten used to my constant moodiness, exhaustion and sudden hunger fits when I have to eat RIGHT NOW but HAS NOT gotten used to seeing the bump.

p.s. A Week 15 photo will be posted tomorrow!