I haven't slept well in several weeks. Even if I take Tylenol PM to help, I still am not sleeping well. I get up during the night to use the bathroom at least twice, sometimes three times. Our husky shakes, our beagle snores, my feet itch like crazy, the baby kicks every time I roll over, and Chris, well, he breathes on me. Crazy, I know. I don't think I fully appreciated how well I was sleeping BEFORE I got pregnant. And then it occurred to me that my days of sleeping well have probably ended for the next twenty years or so. Maybe longer.
Don't get me wrong. I am not a very good sleeper anyway. I thought I heard "everything" and tossed and turned a lot. Well, I think I may have underestimated the quality of my pre-pregnancy sleep and now I am kicking myself for not getting one last hurrah! Although, I don't know how I would have done that anyway.
I think my body is saying to me, "you better figure out how to cope with less sleep now, because in three months or less, it's going to be even less than it is now." And that's OK. I am ready. Mostly. I think.
I am finding it very interesting that as I am crossing things off of the baby preparation list, I sleep a little bit better. In fact, last night, I only got up twice to pee and woke up this morning feeling refreshed and well-rested. Chris said I tossed and turned a lot, but I am not sure how he'd know that...he was snoring loud enough that he woke the beagle. And if I know this, I wasn't sleeping. Maybe I got an extra hour and that was enough to recharge my batteries.
Or maybe my feeling of being well rested is because the baby's room is ready, with the exception of putting the mattress in the crib (we are waiting for a mattress pad and crib sheet), and hanging the stuff on the walls. And we have hired a cleaning service that starts tomorrow. That's been stressing me out. I can't lug the vacuum up and down the stairs anymore, and I know I am prone to slack off a little when I am tired...which is most of the time. So, this makes sense. For now anyway.
Regardless, change is in the air. And walls. And beds. And bellies. And it's here to stay. Good thing I like change. A lot. Especially this one. It's going to be an exciting few months. Just think...by the time we are waiting for the trees to bud, my family will have fully blossomed. I cant 'wait!!
Hurry up, Nugget! Mommy and Daddy can't wait to meet you!!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
The Crib is Coming!! The Crib is Coming!!!
And it will be here tomorrow! Thank you Mom and Dad! I can't wait to take a few pictures once it's all in there. Oh, and in case my life wasn't exciting enough, the painter will be here on Saturday to give us the price and schedule a time to have the room painted. Here's my inspiration:
Our crib and dresser are a similar color, but our flooring is mediocre white short-shag-ish carpet, but still looks OK. No red chair. That thing is smaller than it looks, I checked it out! I love Dr. Seuss and all the fun, yet educational, lessons his books teach!
I had my 24 week check up today. All is well. Baby's heartbeat is pumping away at 144 beats per minute. And according to my OB, it's easier to hear when my bladder isn't so full and if he could sit still for a minute. I guess he gets that from me. He's an active little nugget of me and Chris for sure!
To add to my excitement of completing the nursery, next week I am in Michigan for two nights for work (one in MP), then home for a week then back to MI for my first baby shower (HUGE thank you to Jessica and Sue for so generously offering to host a shower for me). Then home for a week, then in Dallas for a week for work and the Texas family and friends baby shower for me (Thank you to Chris' aunt, Vickie Rowland for offering to host one down there for me!). And I am trying to get a trip in before the end of February to Augusta, Georgia for what I hope will be my last client visit before the baby is here!! But other than that, I don't have any plans.
Our crib and dresser are a similar color, but our flooring is mediocre white short-shag-ish carpet, but still looks OK. No red chair. That thing is smaller than it looks, I checked it out! I love Dr. Seuss and all the fun, yet educational, lessons his books teach!
I had my 24 week check up today. All is well. Baby's heartbeat is pumping away at 144 beats per minute. And according to my OB, it's easier to hear when my bladder isn't so full and if he could sit still for a minute. I guess he gets that from me. He's an active little nugget of me and Chris for sure!
To add to my excitement of completing the nursery, next week I am in Michigan for two nights for work (one in MP), then home for a week then back to MI for my first baby shower (HUGE thank you to Jessica and Sue for so generously offering to host a shower for me). Then home for a week, then in Dallas for a week for work and the Texas family and friends baby shower for me (Thank you to Chris' aunt, Vickie Rowland for offering to host one down there for me!). And I am trying to get a trip in before the end of February to Augusta, Georgia for what I hope will be my last client visit before the baby is here!! But other than that, I don't have any plans.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Thoughtful gestures and amazing friends
This would have made a perfect Thanksgiving post. I wasn't thinking I guess. But I am glad I waited because it just just keeps getting better.
Since we made the big announcement about our expanding family, so many of my friends have reached out to me with such generous offers, gifts and hand-me-downs. This blog is in now way a replacement for the Thank You note, but more of a list of "I can't believe how wonderful people are."
A close family friend, Rebecca, not only sent me a box FULL of baby boy clothes in all sizes that her son wore, but she sent me a second box FULL of maternity clothes. Which is incredible. I haven't seen Rebecca since she was married in 2001 or maybe 2002! For most of our childhood, Rebecca's older sister, Nicole sent me her hand-me-down clothes. Then we would send my clothes to Rebecca. And now we have come full circle. Rebecca's clothes have saved me on several levels...not just financially, but also in peace of mind (it's cute stuff!!).
And then there is Christie. We were friends in middle-school and early high school, but she moved away in 10th grade. I hadn't seen her in years, but shortly after Chris and I moved to Colorado in 2006, Christie found me on our class reunion website and realized that we both lived in the Denver area but on opposite sides of the city. Last year, when Chris and I bought our home, Christie and I reconnected (again) and realized that we only live about 2 miles from each other. And she too shared a bag FULL of maternity clothes with me. Many of the pants are too short, but the tops and skirts fit perfectly.
And one of my best friends, Tanya, was the first one to send Baby Boy Rowland a gift...Tanya sent the cutest little outfit from a European company that has a fabulous monkey face on it. It's blue and white striped and deserves a picture, but I want to wait until the munchkin is inside of it!
Lisa (my sole mate - aka running buddy) gave me great advice on which pregnancy books to read and which to avoid, what I should expect from my doctor, and has been a great sounding board for all things pregnancy related (and the crazy emotions and feelings that come with it all). I can't wait for our first long run with jogging strollers! Or maybe just another beer and half-marathon contract!
There have been many congratulatory emails and phone calls and text messages. And friends who are willing to drive for HOURS to get to a baby shower. The love from all these women just overwhelms me.
Today we received a pretty precious gift. Our friend Jessica from Austin is a teacher, a student, an at-home culinary expert, a socialite, an aunt, and so many other things. She took time from her ever-busy schedule to knit our son the most perfect, tiny, green hat. She knitted it herself. I couldn't even dream of doing that.
I guess all the pregnancy hormones have me a little more emotional than usual and are causing me to reflect more on all this cool stuff.
I moved away from my family in 2004 and landed in Dallas, Texas where I knew only one person well enough to consider a friend. Finding a sense of family in other places is not always easy to do. And over the past several years, I have been blessed with so many close friends, some geographically close to me, and others two time zones away. Some I have known since before I could drive, and others I've only known a few years. But regardless of time or distance, it's a time like this when I realize how fortunate I am to have such an amazing network of girlfriends who, no matter time between conversations and distance between homes will always be a part of my family.
Since we made the big announcement about our expanding family, so many of my friends have reached out to me with such generous offers, gifts and hand-me-downs. This blog is in now way a replacement for the Thank You note, but more of a list of "I can't believe how wonderful people are."
A close family friend, Rebecca, not only sent me a box FULL of baby boy clothes in all sizes that her son wore, but she sent me a second box FULL of maternity clothes. Which is incredible. I haven't seen Rebecca since she was married in 2001 or maybe 2002! For most of our childhood, Rebecca's older sister, Nicole sent me her hand-me-down clothes. Then we would send my clothes to Rebecca. And now we have come full circle. Rebecca's clothes have saved me on several levels...not just financially, but also in peace of mind (it's cute stuff!!).
And then there is Christie. We were friends in middle-school and early high school, but she moved away in 10th grade. I hadn't seen her in years, but shortly after Chris and I moved to Colorado in 2006, Christie found me on our class reunion website and realized that we both lived in the Denver area but on opposite sides of the city. Last year, when Chris and I bought our home, Christie and I reconnected (again) and realized that we only live about 2 miles from each other. And she too shared a bag FULL of maternity clothes with me. Many of the pants are too short, but the tops and skirts fit perfectly.
And one of my best friends, Tanya, was the first one to send Baby Boy Rowland a gift...Tanya sent the cutest little outfit from a European company that has a fabulous monkey face on it. It's blue and white striped and deserves a picture, but I want to wait until the munchkin is inside of it!
Lisa (my sole mate - aka running buddy) gave me great advice on which pregnancy books to read and which to avoid, what I should expect from my doctor, and has been a great sounding board for all things pregnancy related (and the crazy emotions and feelings that come with it all). I can't wait for our first long run with jogging strollers! Or maybe just another beer and half-marathon contract!
There have been many congratulatory emails and phone calls and text messages. And friends who are willing to drive for HOURS to get to a baby shower. The love from all these women just overwhelms me.
Today we received a pretty precious gift. Our friend Jessica from Austin is a teacher, a student, an at-home culinary expert, a socialite, an aunt, and so many other things. She took time from her ever-busy schedule to knit our son the most perfect, tiny, green hat. She knitted it herself. I couldn't even dream of doing that.
I guess all the pregnancy hormones have me a little more emotional than usual and are causing me to reflect more on all this cool stuff.
I moved away from my family in 2004 and landed in Dallas, Texas where I knew only one person well enough to consider a friend. Finding a sense of family in other places is not always easy to do. And over the past several years, I have been blessed with so many close friends, some geographically close to me, and others two time zones away. Some I have known since before I could drive, and others I've only known a few years. But regardless of time or distance, it's a time like this when I realize how fortunate I am to have such an amazing network of girlfriends who, no matter time between conversations and distance between homes will always be a part of my family.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Looking back to look forward...
2011 was no slouch of a year in the Rowland house. While we failed miserably at the monthly date-night dinners, we have so much to be proud of. We traveled more, celebrated five years of marriage (in Seattle no less), finally got all of our furniture to match, bought a grown-up bedroom set, laughed more, worried less, managed the budget better, and socked money into savings. And that's just the stuff on the "we" portion of the list.
As for me, well, I completed the summer of run. After signing the contract on December 19, 2010 I immediately began to run. A lot. I ran my first-ever 5K in February, and never looked back. Then in May I ran a half-marathon. 13.1 miles of pure happiness (and pain) and the greatest sense of accomplishment I've ever felt in my life. But I didn't stop there. I rounded out the month of May with the second-largest 10k in the United States. Me and 50,000 other people ran 6.25 miles through the streets of Boulder, Colorado in the Bolder Boulder. And I kept going. The running of the Bolder Boulder marked 12-weeks pre-Diva's Half-Marathon in Vail, Colorado. 13.1 miles at 9,000 feet above sea-level. But, as the Bolder Boulder has trademarked, sea-level is for sissies.
Then, on Monday, August 8th, everything changed. That was the miraculous day that I found out I was pregnant. The following Saturday, I had to pretend like everything was OK and finish my last long training run with Lisa...10 miles knowing I was pregnant. We were only a few steps in when I had to tell Lisa why I was so slow, felt so sick, and kept crying. It wasn't the run. It was the munchkin! And so the summer of run concluded. I went to Vail, but walked 8 miles, took a shortcut, meet Lisa at the 13 mile mark and ran her across the finish line.
And now, this morning as I reflect on all of the little things that have happened since the end-of-august, all I can think about is how I am pretty sure our son is going to come out a dancer, acrobat, hockey goalie, boxer or some other thing that mandates quick movements and spinning. And that's when everything falls into perspective.
And so, with that, I am very much looking forward to 2012 and all the amazing things that will come with it. But most of all, the birth of our son. Happy New Year.
As for me, well, I completed the summer of run. After signing the contract on December 19, 2010 I immediately began to run. A lot. I ran my first-ever 5K in February, and never looked back. Then in May I ran a half-marathon. 13.1 miles of pure happiness (and pain) and the greatest sense of accomplishment I've ever felt in my life. But I didn't stop there. I rounded out the month of May with the second-largest 10k in the United States. Me and 50,000 other people ran 6.25 miles through the streets of Boulder, Colorado in the Bolder Boulder. And I kept going. The running of the Bolder Boulder marked 12-weeks pre-Diva's Half-Marathon in Vail, Colorado. 13.1 miles at 9,000 feet above sea-level. But, as the Bolder Boulder has trademarked, sea-level is for sissies.
Then, on Monday, August 8th, everything changed. That was the miraculous day that I found out I was pregnant. The following Saturday, I had to pretend like everything was OK and finish my last long training run with Lisa...10 miles knowing I was pregnant. We were only a few steps in when I had to tell Lisa why I was so slow, felt so sick, and kept crying. It wasn't the run. It was the munchkin! And so the summer of run concluded. I went to Vail, but walked 8 miles, took a shortcut, meet Lisa at the 13 mile mark and ran her across the finish line.
And now, this morning as I reflect on all of the little things that have happened since the end-of-august, all I can think about is how I am pretty sure our son is going to come out a dancer, acrobat, hockey goalie, boxer or some other thing that mandates quick movements and spinning. And that's when everything falls into perspective.
And so, with that, I am very much looking forward to 2012 and all the amazing things that will come with it. But most of all, the birth of our son. Happy New Year.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Holiday Reflections
The only thing missing, making the holidays only one tiny human short of perfect, the missing tiny human being the wonderful little munchkin growing inside of me, of course. Had he been here to enjoy Christmas with us, everything would have been even better than perfect! And for some reason, everything still seemed different this year. Maybe it was the presence of children on Christmas morning that made everything so exciting and warm. Or maybe it was the timing of our uneventful travel, leaving us time to get excited before Christmas and a couple days to unwind after.
Regardless, it was so wonderful. My only regret is that we didn't have one more night because I had to bail on one of the most important stops of the trip. Missing my cousin Allison and her family, and seeing the excitement on her kiddo's faces as they explained each gift they received with detail only recalled by the mind of a child. It's one of my favorite parts of our trips home for Christmas.
Thankfully, I will be back in Michigan in a couple weeks and will be able to see Alli and the kids (and Matt too, I hope) during that trip. (Allison, I am sending you the email with my schedule next!).
Pregnancy seems like such a long journey when it begins. Forty weeks of constant change and weird stuff. That's only 12 weeks of a full year that a woman ISN'T pregnant. That's just crazy. But here I am. Twenty-four weeks down and only 16 weeks to go. Where has the time gone? Don't get me wrong, I don't want to go back in time or prolong this pregnancy business one day longer than I have to. But it makes me wonder how quickly life-in-general will go once our son is actually here. I am guessing that time passes in the blink of an eye, making me thankful for the fabulous camera that will hopefully help us capture and save some of the most special moments.
Thank you to all who were able to squeeze a quick visit in. And I am VERY sorry to those I missed on this trip.
Cheers to a wonderful Christmas and I hope 2012 is as exciting, rewarding and special for you and your family as I am expecting it to be for mine.
Regardless, it was so wonderful. My only regret is that we didn't have one more night because I had to bail on one of the most important stops of the trip. Missing my cousin Allison and her family, and seeing the excitement on her kiddo's faces as they explained each gift they received with detail only recalled by the mind of a child. It's one of my favorite parts of our trips home for Christmas.
Thankfully, I will be back in Michigan in a couple weeks and will be able to see Alli and the kids (and Matt too, I hope) during that trip. (Allison, I am sending you the email with my schedule next!).
Pregnancy seems like such a long journey when it begins. Forty weeks of constant change and weird stuff. That's only 12 weeks of a full year that a woman ISN'T pregnant. That's just crazy. But here I am. Twenty-four weeks down and only 16 weeks to go. Where has the time gone? Don't get me wrong, I don't want to go back in time or prolong this pregnancy business one day longer than I have to. But it makes me wonder how quickly life-in-general will go once our son is actually here. I am guessing that time passes in the blink of an eye, making me thankful for the fabulous camera that will hopefully help us capture and save some of the most special moments.
Thank you to all who were able to squeeze a quick visit in. And I am VERY sorry to those I missed on this trip.
Cheers to a wonderful Christmas and I hope 2012 is as exciting, rewarding and special for you and your family as I am expecting it to be for mine.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
A month already? Or should I say 6 months!
It's a little difficult to believe it's been a month since I last blogged. It's not that I haven't had anything to say, but most likely what I had to say I shouldn't have shared in such a public forum. Right, Mom!
As for the baby, well, he's growing like crazy I think. I am 23 weeks pregnant (as of tomorrow) which is 6 months according to the "What to Expect when you are Expecting" book. I have found that if I put some music close to my belly I can encourage him to dance. Here's hoping he inherits more of my moves and less of his dad's. Although based on the non-rhythmic kicking and fluttering about, I can safely say that either he hates my music choice and is running from it, or he's going to dance like his father. And let's just say that I didn't marry Chris for his dancing skills!
I am feeling pretty darn good. I want to do things that I used to do but my stamina is not what it was a few months ago. I get winded much easier, which is frustrating. I ran 10 miles the week after I found out I was pregnant and now I get winded carrying laundry up the stairs. It's all part of the process, I know. And when I think about what I get for it, it's a pretty handsome reward. Literally and figuratively.
It's a very weird feeling to want so badly to run with that stranger on the sidewalk who seems to be keeping a good pace for me, but knowing that if I even tried, I wouldn't make it a block before I tripped over a crack in the sidewalk or got so tired I decided to just sit down and wait for Chris to come get me. Have I mentioned how clumsy I've become? This kiddo sure has my center of gravity moving all over the place! I've always been a little...ummm...heavy in the front, but this takes the cake!
We are very excited for Christmas in Michigan. Here's hoping that our travels are uneventful. It's not looking very good for us, but that's ok...it always happens this way. If we can score a delay or cancellation along the way, I think that will keep us with a perfect record. 0 for all of them. I don't think Chris and I have ever traveled to Michigan without something changing our plans. It started in 2005 when I took him home with me for the first time and a massive thunderstorm ripped through the Dallas area...when the luggage cart was trying to get to safety, the driver got too close to the plane and knocked of an antenna from the nose of an aircraft. Then there was the time that I just flat-out whiffed on our departure time and we missed our flight.
Today, Colorado is in the midst of preparing for yet another big snowstorm that will land at the same time we should take off. I'll keep you updated on the McFarlane's luck. It's similar to Murphy's law, but relates to my family and our travel adventures. And by "adventure" I mean messed up travel experiences that could rival the movie "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" and/or "Home Alone." But we expect it, therefore we laugh about it.
We've had blizzards and freezing fog, snow storms and thunderstorms, and aircraft maintenance. We go to the airport fully prepared with snacks, games, books, fully charged batteries and all the necessary charging devices. Bring it on Mother Nature. You can't keep us down! We're gonna have a baby and we're gonna get to Michigan no matter how much snow and wind you give us!
As for the baby, well, he's growing like crazy I think. I am 23 weeks pregnant (as of tomorrow) which is 6 months according to the "What to Expect when you are Expecting" book. I have found that if I put some music close to my belly I can encourage him to dance. Here's hoping he inherits more of my moves and less of his dad's. Although based on the non-rhythmic kicking and fluttering about, I can safely say that either he hates my music choice and is running from it, or he's going to dance like his father. And let's just say that I didn't marry Chris for his dancing skills!
I am feeling pretty darn good. I want to do things that I used to do but my stamina is not what it was a few months ago. I get winded much easier, which is frustrating. I ran 10 miles the week after I found out I was pregnant and now I get winded carrying laundry up the stairs. It's all part of the process, I know. And when I think about what I get for it, it's a pretty handsome reward. Literally and figuratively.
It's a very weird feeling to want so badly to run with that stranger on the sidewalk who seems to be keeping a good pace for me, but knowing that if I even tried, I wouldn't make it a block before I tripped over a crack in the sidewalk or got so tired I decided to just sit down and wait for Chris to come get me. Have I mentioned how clumsy I've become? This kiddo sure has my center of gravity moving all over the place! I've always been a little...ummm...heavy in the front, but this takes the cake!
We are very excited for Christmas in Michigan. Here's hoping that our travels are uneventful. It's not looking very good for us, but that's ok...it always happens this way. If we can score a delay or cancellation along the way, I think that will keep us with a perfect record. 0 for all of them. I don't think Chris and I have ever traveled to Michigan without something changing our plans. It started in 2005 when I took him home with me for the first time and a massive thunderstorm ripped through the Dallas area...when the luggage cart was trying to get to safety, the driver got too close to the plane and knocked of an antenna from the nose of an aircraft. Then there was the time that I just flat-out whiffed on our departure time and we missed our flight.
Today, Colorado is in the midst of preparing for yet another big snowstorm that will land at the same time we should take off. I'll keep you updated on the McFarlane's luck. It's similar to Murphy's law, but relates to my family and our travel adventures. And by "adventure" I mean messed up travel experiences that could rival the movie "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" and/or "Home Alone." But we expect it, therefore we laugh about it.
We've had blizzards and freezing fog, snow storms and thunderstorms, and aircraft maintenance. We go to the airport fully prepared with snacks, games, books, fully charged batteries and all the necessary charging devices. Bring it on Mother Nature. You can't keep us down! We're gonna have a baby and we're gonna get to Michigan no matter how much snow and wind you give us!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Throwing up the Sash
Chris and I have been together for seven Thanksgivings and have spent every one of them together with his family, and all but two have been in our home. I always get excited, but this year is different and I can't really explain why. Thanksgiving is a BIG holiday in the Rowland family. Maybe the biggest. I am so stinking excited for the entire holiday season that I just can't sit still. I hate to admit this part, but I am already listening to Christmas music and have painted my nails the most festive color of reddish-pink that I can tolerate!
My excitement for the holidays is absolutely uncontainable. Maybe it's the whole "I'm gonna have a baby" thing. Maybe it's because I know this is the last year that I have to celebrate Christmas without a legitimate visit to Santa (I love him!!). The reason doesn't really matter. The fact is that I am really excited and really happy, and isn't that what the holidays are all about?
Chris happened to be folding laundry in the bedroom portion of my office while I was listening to XM Holiday Traditions this week. While he was in there I heard a man reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas." When he got to the part of "...then out on the lawn arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash. Tore open the shutter and threw up the sash." I added, "I guess I shouldn't have eaten so much sash" and burst out laughing.
My husband thought I had officially lost my mind. I didn't make it up. It was on a Christmas card that Grandma Melanie either received or gave, or something. But regardless, I think she reused it EVERY year...she may have bought a million of them, I don't know for sure, but I am pretty sure it was her favorite! And it was a perfect Christmas memory. Family, do all of you remember that too?
So, with that, whether you like this or not, I will break out the first MERRY WOOLEY of the season!
My excitement for the holidays is absolutely uncontainable. Maybe it's the whole "I'm gonna have a baby" thing. Maybe it's because I know this is the last year that I have to celebrate Christmas without a legitimate visit to Santa (I love him!!). The reason doesn't really matter. The fact is that I am really excited and really happy, and isn't that what the holidays are all about?
Chris happened to be folding laundry in the bedroom portion of my office while I was listening to XM Holiday Traditions this week. While he was in there I heard a man reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas." When he got to the part of "...then out on the lawn arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash. Tore open the shutter and threw up the sash." I added, "I guess I shouldn't have eaten so much sash" and burst out laughing.
My husband thought I had officially lost my mind. I didn't make it up. It was on a Christmas card that Grandma Melanie either received or gave, or something. But regardless, I think she reused it EVERY year...she may have bought a million of them, I don't know for sure, but I am pretty sure it was her favorite! And it was a perfect Christmas memory. Family, do all of you remember that too?
So, with that, whether you like this or not, I will break out the first MERRY WOOLEY of the season!
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