Made in Richmond

Lots of pictures after the jump.
(more…)

I know these updates are getting to be much closer together. But, I feel huge. And I will share the hugeness with you. You might not notice much of a difference, but I sure do. Pictures after the jump.
(more…)

Friday: Left the office around noon. Worked from home and rested. Picked up stuff for dinner and got Ross at the office. Home to frantically eat dinner because we can’t seem to be not late for childbirth class. Went to childbirth class. Got freaked the eff out by how an epidural is administered. Over to Justin’s to watch the debate. Home and to bed.

Saturday: Up to take both dogs to the vet. Home to finally shower. Lunch with the in-laws. Over to the West End for a bridal shower. Home for an epic nap. Ross left to go watch VT play Nebraska at some point. Ate two bowls of Honey Nut Cheerios for dinner. Watched a lot of TV and became extremely weepy/stunned by the fact that I now weigh a ridiculous amount and still have over 6 weeks to go. To bed late.

Sunday: Managed to actually sleep in until 9. Spent a good amount of time training the dog on the fence. Shower. Picked up lunch. Did laundry. Church. Noticed during the service that my hands and toes are swollen. Home. Now sitting with my feet up until we leave to celebrate Ipanema’s 10th anniversary. I hear there are free snacks.

Have a great week!

We’re on week two of training the dogs on the invisible fence. I don’t know if you’re familiar with how the training works, but it basically involves taking the dogs up to the fence so they can get a correction (first it’s just a beep, then it’s a beep with a little shock). The correction makes the dog back up, and eventually they learn the new boundaries of the yard.

I sometimes think Shooter is too smart for the fence. It actually occurs to him to push the boundaries a bit, testing every corner of the yard to see if there’s a “weak spot.” Although I don’t know why he would do this - if he were to escape all he would do it trot around barking at anyone who’s having any fun. He’s getting better, but he’s not happy about it.

Zapp, on the other hand, required maybe two shocks before she wouldn’t even go near the boundary. If she senses you leading her to the edge of the yard, she sits down and will not budge. The simpicity of her brain made the training very simple: edge = beep = shock = OMG I DO NOT LIKE THAT I WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN.

Yeah. Sometimes dumb is better. Also, she’s pretty cute…

This is Zapp enjoying her favorite pasttime: staring at us all night to see what we’ll do next.

(Others)

(I tried to make this not completely about the baby, but WTF, I’m largely pregnant. You wouldn’t be able to think/talk about anything else either.)

The baby’s room is *this close* to being finished. I would post pictures, but I can’t seem to locate the camera or the charger for its battery. I promise you will see it soon though.

We have our 4th childbirth class tonight. Last week we practiced patterned breathing, which basically involves me huffing and puffing for minute-long pretend contractions and Ross counting. I must say, Ross is a very good counter and even better and letting me know when I’m “halfway there.”

I’m predicting that my total weight gain will be about 40 pounds. At my last appointment my doctor said “You’ve gained about 25 pounds, but I don’t see it anywhere else but in your belly. So keep doing what you’re doing.” I must say, nothing makes me happier than we people tell me I’m “all baby.” Particularly when it’s a doctor.

Speaking of doctors, I interviewed a pediatrician yesterday. I felt like I was playing make-believe the entire time.

We were in the car other day, and Pearl Jam came on the radio. It honestly felt like the baby stood up, as if he/she was saying “WHAT IS THIS MAGNIFICENT MUSIC I AM HEARING?” Ross was very pleased.

There is spinach dip in our fridge that will go bad after the baby is born. I felt the need to celebrate when I saw that. Can you imagine how I will react when I buy milk with an expiration date after my due date?

Pregnancy Cold Part II is starting (see Part I here). The neti pot and I will need to reunite soon.

I somehow managed to get bit by a mosquito in between my index and middle knuckles on both hands (Ha! That wasn’t about the baby at all.)

I just realized that this blog celebrated its third birthday on Monday.

According to ivillage’s parenting advice, this blog:

• May sleep 10 to 12 hours at night
• Hops on one foot
• Walks a line
• Walks on tiptoes for a few steps
• Brushes teeth washes hands, retrieves own drink
• Puts on shoes (no laces)
• Completes a six-piece puzzle
• Draws simple shapes
• Enjoys helping with household tasks
• Follows simple directions
• Plays spontaneously with two or three children
• Identifies some common colors
• Counts to three
• Enjoys “pretend” games such as playing house
• Wets the bed at night occasionally
• Uses the toilet often and may need help (boys may not be toilet trained until later this year)
• Feeds self completely using a fork and spoon and can butter bread with a knife.
• Speaks in three- to five-word sentences
• Uses plurals (cats, dogs, etc.)
• May have difficulty getting some words out (not a sign of stuttering)
• Sings a simple tune
• Asks a lot of the “Five W” questions
• Demonstrates a three-minute attention span
• Remembers yesterday’s happenings
• Understands some dangers, such as moving cars
• Feels shame when caught doing something wrong
• Is interested in similarities and differences
• Understands difference between self and younger children
• Doesn’t understand difference between self and older children
• May show preference for opposite sex parent
• Develops sense of humor and enjoys making people laugh

Hmmm. We seem to be coming up short on a few of these things. I know I haven’t seem this blog hopping anywhere, that’s for sure.

We pay, on average, about $600 total a year in vet bills for both dogs.

We also pay, on average, $30 a month for their food.

Shooter costs an extra $5 a month for his epilepsy medicine.

That works out to over $1000 we pay each year to keep the dogs alive so they can continue to destroy our house, ruin our grass, and generally drive us insane.

BUT THEY ARE SO CUUUUUUUUUUTE:

When I saw this, I first thought “Oh my God, what a joke.”

And then I remembered who I am and said “Oh, please let it be true.”

Do you think there’s any chance I can spend the next seven weeks floating in a swimming pool? Pictures (yes, multiples!) after the jump.
(more…)