25 weeks

Here's the 25 week baby belly. I feel like I'm really starting to get big.

Also, we got our crib yesterday!!...and I'm so excited to set it up. We'll have to wait until after the holidays though because the baby's room still has a lot of stuff that needs to be moved out before it has room for the crib. This is what it looks like though (only ours is in black):

Oh, and for those of you wondering, it's 5pm and I only have 2 more items to check off my to-do list. YAY!

We hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and is able to relax and enjoy in whatever way you may be celebrating!

to- do list

Brett and I are leaving for a 2 week Christmas vacation on Saturday morning and I have quite the to-do list before we go.

Who thinks I can get all of this done tomorrow??

-3 loads of laundry (folded and put away)
-run to the bank to deposit checks
-check our mail (i have to go on campus to get our mail, so it's more than just a walk to the mailbox)
-pay bills
-clean out car
-vacuum
-sweep/mop bathrooms
-take out the trash
-throw out all leftovers from the fridge
-clean and put away dishes in the sink
-move out 3 residents from their townhouses
-take a 25 week prego picture and post :)
-begin packing
-AND have a Christmas movie date with a friend

We shall see...

Also, my hair is driving me nuts right now, so I'd like to get it trimmed before we go, but that's at the bottom of my to do list. We'll see if I get around to it.

Oh and in case you're wondering...yes, I am that person who has to have the entire house clean and in perfect condition before leaving on vacation. I just hate coming back to a messy home. It's an illness.

crib bedding

I love my mom. She has agreed to make my crib bedding since I haven't been able to find ANYTHING I like in the stores. Everything is too themed for me...animals, abc's, trucks, planes...they just don't do it for me. So, I went out today to find fabric and am so excited with my picks (not to mention that it was all on sale).

I was planning on going with black, white and cream and then sprucing it up with more colorful accessories, but then I found this fabric and couldn't resist.

Thanks, mom! :)

pregnancy dreams

Ok, I seriously had one of the WEIRDEST dreams last night. I will spare you all the details (believe me, you don't want to know) and get straight to the weird part. . .

Our baby came out of me in a box - like a box a doll would come in, with a window screen and everything. And apparently we were blessed with a "Deluxe Version" baby...or so it said on the box. This "Deluxe Version" included a little hat, pierced ears (what??), socks & shoes, and an ID bracelet. No clothes... but, whatever.

Chalk it up as weird pregnancy dream #3. In the first one, I gave birth to our baby at 14 weeks and she was fine...very small, but fine. And yes, I said "she." Because when I had that dream, we didn't yet know we were having a boy. The second one included me giving birth to a baby whale.

Sweet dreams, everyone. Sweet dreams.

ducks

and no, not the Oregon Ducks. The Civil War is over, people!

I'm now 23 weeks pregnant and realizing how quickly this little boy is going to be out of my belly and in my waiting arms. With that thought comes the realization that I better get moving on preparing for his sweet arrival. So. . .

My brain has been consumed with all things baby! I have done a self diagnosis and seem to have come down with a case of mommy madness. Seriously - I don't think there is a baby website, book, or magazine I haven't looked at. I have browsed through cribs, changing tables, strollers, carseats, and bedding, like there is no tomorrow. Funny thing is, I still haven't made a single decision on anything we want/need. I tend to be pretty picky and particular about what I want, and on top of that, I find myself thinking, "What if I find something better?" Which brings me to the next issue: the naming of this child. What a huge responsibility! Brett and I go in circle after circle discussing names and seem to get no closer to making a decision. Good thing we have a few months left, right?

I remember being like this when Brett and I were engaged. I'm such a planner and organizer and like to be totally prepared ahead of time - so much so that I end up STRESSING myself OUT! It's absolutely ridiculous.

Earlier today, my mom posted on my sister's CaringBridge website about having all her "ducks in a row." She wrote the following: "I really like to have all my ducks in a row. I like to have a plan and be able to stick to the plan. I recognize that God is showing me that maybe HE wants my ducks in a circle. . . or maybe HE doesn't even want me to know where my ducks are. . . OR maybe it doesn't even MATTER where my ducks are!! What a thought! "

This was a great reminder to me. I would love to have all my "ducks in a row" way before our little guy gets here so I can feel like a super prepared and organized mommy. But all in all, does it really matter? We are SO BLESSED and SO THANKFUL for this baby and shouldn't that be my focus? Thank you, Mom - for passing on your somewhat crazy, obsessive, organizational trait. But more so, for reminding me that sometimes "it doesn't even matter where my ducks are."

Oh and why not add a recent baby bump picture. Here I am at 23 weeks -