Baby Watch Day 4 - Where the hell's my baby?

SO! In a desperate attempt to induce labor and get this baby out before Santa and his reindeer show, I made myself an enormous fresh pineapple-raspberry leaf tea milkshake last night and drank the entire thing. I did NOT go into labor. I DID, however, get terrible gas. (sorry to be so graphic, gentle readers, but in the interest of science and honesty and full disclosure and all, there it is. Poot.)

I am having stomach cramps, from top to bottom, that can be WICKED painful, sometimes making me gasp out loud (fun to do in crowded shopping malls) and clutch my belly, and not only for dramatic effect. Are these contractions- the good, I'd-better-start-timing-these-suckers-kind? (Which presents a different problem altogether, who has a watch with a second hand on it, or even hands at all, I'd have to go back to 1997 to get one) Or is Mother Nature just screwing with me? (I hate you M.N. You are mean. Just for this, I'm using disposable diapers.)

Time will tell. But seriously, Isabelle. Get the lead out. There's only so many mawkish Holiday movies I can stand to watch. I want a different kind of holiday movie, something where the dog doesn't come back home, the mother keeps drinking, the father runs off with a cocktail waitress and everybody dies, like the end of Hamlet. Just once, wouldn't that be terribly refreshing?

You'll have to excuse me. Gradual effacement is making me tetchy. I'm going to go and eat every Christmas cookie in the house. Somehow, I feel sure that will help. Love you!

Baby Watch 2010

SOOOO, with much anticipation I went back to my doctor's office yesterday. The verdict? After all the activity and tons of cramping (fun!) I am only 1 centimeter dialated. 1. FREAKIN'. CENTIMETER! Can you believe this? Well I can't!

I tried to be a good sport as they scheduled me for induction AFTER CHRISTMAS- oh no! I always imagined myself under the Christmas tree, bleary but happy, holding my sleeping infant on Christmas morning. Do you KNOW how many Santa outfits and Baby's First Christmas onesies we have in newborn size? Seven hundred. Exactly.

At any rate, if Snookums decides to be stubborn, we will be admitted next Tuesday night for induction (you're going to put a WHAT in my WHERE??) and she'll probably make her appearance the next day.

But I'm not taking this lying down. After my appointment, I did what any self respecting woman would do- I headed to the nail salon. Then, freshly maicured, I found the nearest Mexican place and started plowing down the salsa. We also tried (medicinally) red wine, pineapple and jalapenos. I did NOT have a baby last night. I DID have heartburn that allowed me to breathe actual fire.

Today I am newly resolved to coax my little daughter out of her nice snug nest. We're having raspberry leaf tea and fresh pineapple for breakfast. Then...we're going off roading. May your days be merry and bright! Happy (almost) Holidays to all.

Kitties in the Nursery

Since Isabelle is going to be a Christmas (or thereabouts) baby, I thought it would be sweet to have a little Christmas tree in the nursery just for her. Maggie and Sammi are very enthusiastic about this idea.....

"What's this?"

" I don't know but it must be for us....look, it's covered in cat toys!"

"Cheese it! We've been spotted!"

"You can't see me - I'se camoflaged."

Hope you get everything you want under your tree!

Nothing Neither Way

SOOOO, yesterday, I received some very positive and definite signs that labor was imminent. (Won't go into grody details, let's just say the baby books confirmed it.)

All day yesterday I waddled around running errands with hubby in tow (he won't let me out of his sight, by the way. Funny thing- I told him I thought my labor might be starting and he looked serious and said "right. I'll boil some water and get my multitool." Doesn't THAT just inspire confidence?)

And yet, despite a very crampy tummy and incredibly vigorous kicking and rolling from Izzy....here we are! We made it through the night, no trip to the hospital necessary. Isabelle, child, you, uh, maybe wanna get the lead out?

Today we have another doctor's appointment (they love me there) so we will just have to see. I'm going to go fuss about the nursery and take some pictures for you fine people...and think "laborious" thoughts!

D'artagnan lives to serve the King!

Don't believe I posted any photos of Jake in his little cape. This outfit had an actual medical reason behind it, to keep Jake from pulling out his hernia stitches. But how stinkin' cute is he? Can't you just see him in a plumed hat and little boots? With a miniature sword on his hip? You should have seen him tearing around the house in it, on the heels of M'Lady. (Our beautiful and aloof Maggie.)

I need to get offline and go run some last minute errands - the post office, the craft store, etc. You know the drill. I have the funniest feeling that I might be spending tonight in the hospital! ;)

Due date!

Izzy says "Hmmmm, should I come out...or just take another nap?"

Well gang, today's the long awaited day, the one that's been on the calendar for SO long - my due date! However, I don't think my daughter, Susan Isabelle, AKA Izzy, got the memo! As anxious as we are to hold her in our arms, Snookums is snug as a bug in a rug and doesn't seem inclined to do much of anything, except kick me stupid every night at around 10pm. And actually, that's fine. She'll come in her own good time. I'm waiting and knitting and napping. There are bluejays swooping in the tree outside my window and bright red cardinals playing tag. There's snow on the ground and Christmas lights on all the trees. Inside the house I have three affectionate kitties and a pile of sentimental holiday movies to watch. We'll wait. And dream. And after she comes, life will never be the same!

hedgehog adorability

Oh no. OH NO! I can't STAND how cute these are or how badly I want them. Peoples' creativity floors me sometimes! Hope you find some treasures today, too!

see more Must Have Cute

Little Knitter on Baby T-shirt or One-Piece | BabyWit.com

Oh Baby Wit, how you make me laugh. On our own baby watch front, the doctor predicts that I will not last out the week. Watch out world, here comes Susan Isabelle! (seriously, my back hurts....)
Little Knitter on Baby T-shirt or One-Piece BabyWit.com

Delightful blog to visit

http://littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk/

It has knitting, chickens and good cheer. Really, what's not to love? You'll be charmed, charmed, I tell you...what are your favorite blogs to visit and why?

4 more days til my due date. But I have this distinct feeling that Izzy has a timetable all of her own! Doctor's appointment tomorrow, so we'll just see what Little Miss is up to at this point...



Just a little bit longer....

Simon's Cat in 'Santa Claws'

I won!

Darn Good Yarn is an online company that I enjoy browsing from time to time. Yesterday they had a "name-that-yarn-contest" and guess who's yarn name was selected? Introducing "Jubilee." You can click on the link to see their website. Happy Knitting, everybody! Dec 2010 Newsletter

Skinny women....

shouldn't ask women who are 9 months pregnant if "they have twins in there." It might cause us to lose our tempers, and do something drastic. Like eat them. (urp.)

My Mama Drinks Because I Cry on Baby T-shirt or One-Piece | BabyWit.com

My Mama Drinks Because I Cry on Baby T-shirt or One-Piece BabyWit.com


It's just funny, Yo.

A day that will live in infamy.....

Sooooo....ten years ago this evening, in the balmy town of Los Angeles, Dave and I had our first kiss...and have been together ever since. OK, if you want the real story, I refused to leave his apartment that night til he made a move on me...Poor Dave. All he wanted was a little smooch, and somehow he ended up with 4 moves, 4 cats, a house and a baby! It's a dangerous thing, kissin'! Here we are in front of our tree - the first one in our new house.
He thinks it's his.....

"She said she was on the pill!"

"Will you look what this boy did to me??"

In less than 2 weeks we'll be parents....terrifying, isn't it?!?

Can't wait to do this....

Just as soon as we get a little snow....thanks to icanhasacheeseburger.com

You bet I am!

Thanks to my Poppa who sent this along via email.....doggone, but I would love a glass of sangria right now...I don't care WHAT the temperature is....

I ate all the turkey myself.

Big Pilgrim and Little Pilgrim...at around 37 weeks.

Adam Sandler - Original Hanukkah Song Video

Happy First Night Everybody! My holiday season isn't complete until I listen to this at least a dozen times. Enjoy!

Weather Forecast Predicts...Showers!

Oh, wow, readers, I hope that all of you are lucky enough to have a Godmother as amazing as mine. My Auntie Sue has always been a source of great joy, support, inspiration and fun for me, but let me tell you...this woman throws one HELL of a baby shower! Witness:

We searched high and low for THE PERFECT shower invites (can you tell I'm a first time Mom? And have been planning this shower in my head for years??) Finally we found this adorable Mommy and Baby bunny pair by OrangeOstrich designs. They even let us customize the invite so that the information was underneath the bunnies and the brown circles rimmed the edge all around. Perfect for me and my bunny.





Baby Girl Shower Invitation by OrangeOstrichDesignsView more Bunny Invitations

We also ordered these matching seals to go on the envelopes.

I also loved this front table display that welcomed folks into the kitchen. Auntie generously loaned her nifty collection of bud vases which made an elegant, unfussy presentation. The silver frames came from Home Goods (Thanks Momma!) and held pictures of Dave and me as babies and one of Miss Susan Isabelle's latest ultrasound.

That's my brother Mike and me in the middle frame, me as an infant on the left, and the adorable little snookums in the frame to the right is my Momma!

Crystal! Roses! Silver! Tea! I'm in GIRLY HEAVEN!

I LOVED the decorations, heirloom silver tea things displayed on crystal cake plates with pink teacup roses, greens and babies' breath. Could you die? I nearly did, it was SO pretty.
Our shower started at 2 P.M.- refreshments were provided by British Bell Tea in Newark. They included delicious tea sandwiches, egg salad, dill, cucumber and cream cheese, tuna salad, roast beef. Oh, but the scones and lemon curd and clotted cream from British Bell were so fabulous, I need to take a moment and bow my head. I wish I had a big pile of them right now. If you are within a hundred miles of the British Bell Tea Room get in your car and go now! (And you're welcome!)

Our dear friend Mrs Chen baked her famous breakfast cookies, which had even my non-cooking friends begging for the recipe. (will provide at a later date, due to overwhelming demand.)

After presents we headed back to the dining room for dessert (do I love having dessert after pigging out on scones? Is a duck's butt wet) for cream puffs, cookies, bite size cupcakes, tea and tea cakes. Oh man, now I REALLY want English tea!

Chillin' with my posse.

Susan Elizabeth, Susan Isabelle and me.

Really, the swelling has gotten way out of control....

Handing out baby "Lottery " tickets to my cousins...the winner got to pick a fabulous prize...





We had two punch bowls set out. One had a sign that said "non-alcoholic," the other had a sign that read "The Good Stuff."

Daddy helps with the party prep.

It was a wonderful shower that I'll always remember. But even more than the food, even more than the gifts, even more than the decorations, or all the attention, (and you KNOW that I love food, gifts and attention!) my favorite part of the shower was the people. We have such lovely, thoughtful and kind hearted friends and seeing each one of them lights me up like a Christmas tree. Each of them are delightful and having them all together in the same room at once to celebrate such a happy occasion was pure joy. Thank you all for being such caring, exuberant, generous and loving souls. Isabelle is SO LUCKY to have these people in her village!

New to this Blog thing....

So yesterday I posted pictures and descriptions of my FAB Delaware baby shower.....and today couldn't find it on the blog! Mmm? Turns out, because I started working on the entry on November 8th, that's where my blog published it....all the way back in early November.....LOVE computers....LOVE them! Anyway, for fun shower ideas and all the latest, please do drop by November 8th and check out the shower entry. Happy Cyber Monday!

Leftovers?

Jake says, "No problem!" Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

Star Wars Talk to Your Kids PSA

This one is for my husband...and so funny I peed a little....also, I will NOT REST until my daughter has a knitted Yoda hat! May The Force Be With You!

And now, something to cheer us up.

http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2100445%3ABlogPost%3A325145

Dog owner can't forgive Michael Vick - latimes.com

Dog owner can't forgive Michael Vick - latimes.com



This more than breaks my heart. How can anyone be so immune to the suffering and agony of helpless animals? I don't believe that Michael Vick is sorry and I don't care how well he plays. There is something seriously wrong with that man.

We Remember

To my "Pop pop" M. Sgt Lawrence Vieth Happy Veterans Day!

Special thanks to my brother Mike who posted this first. Pop pop wouldv'e been so proud of you!

Jake hates when I bring home work from the office

Jake says "Do you mind? I'm kind of on a deadline here!"

Tired of the Nutcracker?

Hear Again Radio Project: Up next for the Hear Again Radio Project: Holiday Hullaballo. December 18 & 19. 11am & 5pm both days. 4 performances of Warm Holiday Cheer. Get your tickets today. (I'd totally be in htis...if I didn't have to go have a baby and junk! Hoping to catch a performance anyway- it's good times!)

Your Daily Dose of Cute

Whenever I'm feeling a bit down, I head on over to LOLcats. There never fails to be something posted there that makes me, well, LOL. Enjoy this crisp Fall day, everybody!

The Seven Year Itch

Every year on our wedding anniversary, the hubby and I have a tradition. We get our picture taken at exactly 4:00 p.m. - the hour we were married. This year it's #7, and if you pointed out that it shouldn't be dark at 4 p.m. you'd be correct. Sometimes it's really hard to be in the same place at exactly 4 o'clock, so this year, well, we just had to fake it. (Can you believe some bosses won't reschedule business meetings so that their employees can keep up with important photographic traditions? I mean, REALLY!) ;)



I think my hubby looks like a movie star....

7 years married and 8 months pregnant...turns out the 7 year itch is all on my belly- it itches like a MOTHER!

Now if you want comedy, you should have seen me struggling to get into these maternity tights. First of all, even putting on one shoe or stocking at a time is a graceless challenge for me these days. Trying to get both feet into stockings at the same time was down right disasterous....I'm grunting and tugging and rolling off the bed...it wasn't pretty....but I bet you'd have laughed til you cried, if you'd been there!

My Two Dollar Halloween costume.

Worth every penny!

Can't Stand It Cute!

How many shopping days are there left til Christmas? Too many. Not enough. I don't care, somewhere on your list you've got to make room for this super cute hedgepig, sorry hedgehog handbag. Do you LOVE IT? I LOVE IT! And I love to promote the creativity of independent artists, like the ones who came up with this cutie-pie. Doggone, some people are talented!



see more Must Have Cute

BIG CAT HALLOWEEN!

Funny, the same thing happens at our place..on a smaller scale!

see more Lolcats and funny pictures. Wheee! Enjoy your day! :)

I may be enjoying this a little too much...

One of the incredibly fun parts of having a baby girl is designing the nursery. Holy schnikes, can we talk about CUTE? I know that some of the current girl decorating trends are veering away from traditional light pink colors, but sorry gang....my girly side is raging out of control here (yes, I have one) and demanding PINK and GIRLY and lots of it! And BUNNIES! Why bunnies? I don't know, I just like them....thought they'd be hella cute in a little girl's nursery, sort of friendly and comforting.....now you'd think that finding pink bunny baby bedding would be fairly easy, right? Particularly in this age of the Internet....but you'd be WRONG!

Would you believe there is almost NO bunny bedding out there in the market today? At least not the kind I had my heart set on....there is bedding with Bible verses and ballerinas, princesses and lady bugs (really? bugs?) flowers and hearts and cowgirls and polka dots and pretty much every other critter in the animal kingdom....but NO BUNNIES! Well, poop. Poop, I say. After many long and wearying searches online I was forced to change my game plan. Bunnies I want and bunnies I shall have, but not on the bedding. We'll just have to get pretty sheets and accessorize the room with them instead. Much simpler. So here are the runners up and the final choice for Izzy's boudoir...

Very sweet bedding by Glenna Jean (the Caitlyn Collection) but my favorite part was the ceramic ducks in the bottom right hand corner....I also have a thing for ducks- they make me laugh. Anybody know where that pair came from?

Banana Fish tempted me with this cheerful set, but on closer examination, the hot pink was just too bright....

If we have another little girl, I might just have to scarf up this love bird bedding. It's cute, I love the colors and it's feminine without being froufy.



And the winner is......TA-DAH!

Glenna Jean's Sophia collection. I loved the soft colors and the patchwork quilt. And can't you just see little white bunnies hopping all around? We've already painted the walls light green with a soft pink accent wall behind the crib. I've got my eye on some white crown molding shelves to hold her precious mementos and favorite things.



And speaking of favorite things....what baby doesn't need a sculpture? How can you have a nursery without one, I say....forget the diaper bags and bouncy swings....Baby needs ART!
This pair of leisurely biking varmints cracks me up. Is it practical? Nein. Is it necessary? Nein. Do I love it? Absolutely I do!
So. Stinkin'. Cute. They have these in lambs and lions and duckies, too. I can't stand it. And I hope that they're all sweet dreams, too.

This makes me smile every time I see it! Perfect for any daughter of mine and maybe yours too?

And speaking of making me laugh...sometimes even the fiercest buccaneers have the "urpsies." In between feedings and sacking the town, clean your little pirate grrl up with this burp cloth...



Hope you had fun looking at my nursery favs. Be sure and post some of your own decorating ideas and choices- Izzy and I would love to hear them!