Friday night my mom came up with a trailer full of stuff for us. Included was a table and chairs (we’ve been making do with a coffee table!) from their house, a desk, dresser and filing cabinet. From my great-grandma (who will be 107 in September) was a little-old-lady recliner. It’s, like, perfect for me right now! Also, handed down by my Aunt Yvonne was a crib and changing table.

I’ve been pretty much ignoring the whole "nursery" concept thus far. We rent and don’t plan to stay here long, hopefully not even to the end of the year. It’s not that we don’t have the room, the house is three bedroom and one we don’t use at all. But she’s mostly gonna be in our room anyway and it’s plenty big to fit all our stuff and her’s too. We’re still not going all out nursery style but I have caught a little baby fever. The crib and changing table are white, but the crib we’re going to spray paint black and do the bars in black, white and bright pink. The changing table is going to stay white but I’m going to do the front of the drawers in the same pink. We going to get some black knobs for the drawers and I’m looking for some black and white polka-dot liner paper (anyone have any ideas?) for inside. The changing cushion we’re going to cover in some black fabric with bright pink polka dots we found at Walmart tonight. We stocked up on spray paint and, since we finished cleaning the house on Friday, I’m planning to start this newest endeavor tomorrow. Pics and stuff then, but I just had to share because I’m super excited. Ali’s gonna have the cutest non-little girl room!

Also, today marks 32 weeks…otherwise known as eight months.

Ugh, so I’ve spent the last three weeks working on getting my iron levels up. Through food in the hopes of avoiding taking an iron supplement and the side effects known to go along with that. I found out yesterday my levels had dropped from 36-something to 31.7. Hence the recommendation of an iron supplement. According to the doc, forty is optimal, under 35 needs attention and below twenty calls for a transfusion! He was worried my levels would have dropped even further since last month. Well, I got the results back today. The good news, I did get them up! The bad, I only got them up to 32.9. The MA seemed surprised I was able to do that through diet alone, so maybe it was pretty good? I dunno, but 32.9 is still too low so it seems it’s going to be iron supplements for Ali and I.

Today I had to take a quiz in my on-campus class and was happily surprised to discover that was all I had to do. I think the instructor wasn’t feeling well or something. Anyway, it was half an hour instead of three and much appreciated. I came home and laid in bed watching TV and reading magazines. I am really tired today.

I’m excited for tonight because some of our favorite shows are on:

Gilmore Girls

The Bad Girls Club

Tori and Dean: Inn Love

Jon & Kate Plus 8

And one that I watch: Work Out

Tivo is the only reason we appear to have lives! That and, for the moment, we are still childless…

31 weeks. I am a house!

Yesterday Tony and I both got our first professional massages! He had gotten me a gift certificate for christmas that I just now got around to using. We decided to split it, mostly because I didn’t want to go alone but also because his neck hurts him about as much, if not more, than my back hurts me. Or maybe he’s just a bit more vocal? Anyway, they were awesome. I got the pregnancy massage, done from the side hitting my back, butt, legs, feet, shoulders….ahhh. It was great. The guy who did it was this hippy type. It was the funniest, he asked if he could "say hello" to Ali before he started. Tony got the deep tissue massage focusing on his upper back and neck. Afterward we were both walking a bit straighter and definitely feeling a ton better. The "gym" we went to was crazy too. It was very eastern-oriented; no shoes, juice bar, floor seating, rooms for clay and jewel therapy. A very interesting experience made possible by mycitybaby, a site Tony has worked on in the past.

Afterward we went browsing at St. Vincent’s local thrift store, then Value Village. I bought a pink maternity polo shirt, a pink old navy tank top and some tan terrycloth Target guachos. For about twelve bucks! The Tony and I tried out a new Thai place that we both really liked. Fifty percent off thanks to our trusty entertainment book. Because the restaurant was next door to Wal-mart, we stopped by to check out their Terracotta selection. Tony is bound and determined to build a fountain for our garden. More on that development to come. Last we went to Target. Tony got a pair of shorts and I got the top half of a swimsuit. No comment on my lack of a bottom. Maybe I’ll wear sweats in the pool.

Saturday we spent most of the day with Kris working on her new site. Probably both of us will hate this picture but it’s just too cute not to post. And Tony thinks it shows our relationship.

Today we went to the doctor in the afternoon. Quick and easy, even getting blood drawn to check my iron levels went fast! Three weeks until our next appointment, then two, then weekly. Assuming everything continues as planned. Then we went to Toys’R'Us to buy a pool Tony’s been waiting to go on sale forever. Sun, we’re all ready for you! After stopping for a "snack" at Jersey Mike’s we went to check out Kohl’s Buy One Get One maternity sale. Up until now I have, for the most part, been avoiding maternity clothes. That is a luxury I can’t really afford anymore. I got a pair of capris, a tank top, a nursing bra and some undies. Mostly at Tony’s insistence. Once again, Sun, we are ready for you.

Other than that school has beendemanding a good portion of my time. Friday I took my first of two all-day AIDS/Air-Blood Pathogens classes. In one class we’ve been studying reinforcement and punishment (both positive and negative), in another stress and anxiety disorders. Ok, I gotta stop now. I told Tony "just a second" for dinner about forty-five minutes ago. This last picture was taken while I was unaware but turned out pretty cute. And it shows my ring!

The last week has been so busy! Thursday night we went to our first "real" birthing class. There were probably 25 or more people crammed into a 10ft. by 20ft. room. We heard they have the same class Wednesday afternoons, and that it was much smaller so we’ve switched to that one. Last week was rather miserable and I will be happy not to go through it again. Too many pregnants in one place!

Friday I had my last Crisis Intervention class. Saturday morning I went to a meeting. Then I came home to a lot of homework for my online class. I had one (30 page!) chapter left to read, an exam to take, a small assignment/paper to complete and a discussion board to read and comment upon at least three times. Besides a moderate break to talk to my mom on the phone and twenty or some minutes to eat the tasty omelette Tony made me for lunch, this took me from noon until six or seven. Sometimes I get a little into those discussions! And I got 47 out of 50 on the test. Tony worked on various side projects the whole time. [Note: "side project" = additional work he has taken on outside of his 9-5, but in the same web development realm]

Sunday we ventured out around eleven. We hit up Payless Shoes’ BOGO Sale.

Tony’s new sandals:     

My new flats:   

Then we went to Fred Meyer to get groceries and garden supplies. Last we stopped at Albertson’s for more groceries. We got home about three and were both starving. Thank God we had leftover Jersey’s Mike’s from the night before. Despite a nasty start, the day had turned out nice. Not exactly warm, but at least sunny! I did one class’s weekly reading outside while Tony mowed the lawn. Even though it’d been just over a week since he did it last time it needed to be done again! We drove down the street to get some slurpees (I’m crazy about the Crystal Light Berry Pomegranante flavor. No suger or caffeine and few calories), then we went to work planting some of the various flowers/vegetables we had purchased. We planted a flower bed with a bunch of stuff I can’t remember as well as onions, a tomato plant and a pepper one in our new vegetable garden. Pics to come later. I spent some time attempting to weed but my mobility is really struggling and there’s only so much one can do from a chair! For dinner Tony bar-b-qued buffalo burgers. Surprisingly good…and yet not too surprisingly because by then we were starving again.

Monday Tony went to work and this is where my nesting instinct really kicked in. I spent the first hour doing the last of our mountain of dishes. A phenomenom we’re determined to never let happen again. Then I began what I’ve been itching to tackle for weeks now. The cupboards, their dustiness and lack of organization. I had a meeting at the college at two-thirty with an instructor to discuss one of last term’s grades. Besides that I worked on the kitchen from 11am to 6pm. That night I was hurting! I’d like to thank Ms. Brandi Carlile for helping me through. Tony came home from work and did more work….then we had stir fry for dinner. While he made the stri fry I made a big batch of low-fat egg salad recommended by my dietician to work on that iron intake. Here are some pictures of nesting in action:

The Dishes

The Appliances

The Pots and Pans

The Tupperware

The Snacks

The "Pantry"

Yesterday morning we had to drive to Everett to attend a Car Seat Class via the Snohomish Health District. Despite learning a lot, those were two hours Tony and I would rather not discuss. Sometimes in these government programs you come across some real strugglers. I got really nauseus on the way home, which has begun happening somewhat often in the late mornings. After lunch Tony went to a meeting at work and I had class. Those three hours are getting longer and longer every week! After class I came home and did laundry and made brownies. Where is this domesticity coming from? We got burritos for dinner from Taco Del Mar (we loooove the bogo coupons for Jersey Mike’s and TDM onthe back of Fred Meyer and Albertsons recipes!).

Today I meant to finish the kitchen. The fridge is calling my name! So far I’ve worked out and then spent too much time on this post. We have to leave for our birth class at 3:30 so I better get moving.

Tony has been working on a new website about which we’re working on spreading the word. You answer a series of questions about a person that they also have answered about themselves. If you don’t know them already (or even if you do) profiles include answers to a series of question to help you out. So far Tony and I have proven hard for people who don’t know us to "get." Friends have been able to guess me high (and Cynthia very high!) and I’m the best guesser of all so far….mwahaha. I find great joy in this fact. So, do you just get us?

Click here to guess me:

And here to guess Tony:

Then make your own profile and do your own answers so we can guess you. Thanks and don’t forget…tell your friends!

Sunday, out in the sun, Tony noticed the apperance of my linea negra, which he has been eagerly awaiting for months now. Not the most flattering picture, but I thought I would share. It’s the faint line snaking down from my belly button. This photo was taken at twenty-nine weeks:

Today is a domestic one. No school so I’m still in my pajamas! Been doing laundry, dishes, general picking up, taking trash out and the like. Spending way too much time on the internet. It calls to me…there’s always something to just check. Also updated the registry page with some of the loot we got last week.

I better go fold some clothes. We’re drying meat today for jerky (still working on that iron) and the smell is driving me insane! Luckily not in a bad way…it smells so good. We haven’t broke sixty here since Sunday. I miss the sun!

Thursday night we made our first trip to Everett’s Pregnancy Resource Center. Though our seven-part birthing series begins next week, it was recommended we begin with this class. Despite the fact that we’ve pretty much figured out what to expect when you’re expecting! The class was small. There were two girls there younger than I am, one due in late October and the other, late November. Both were with their mothers so Tony was the only boy. He did a great job vocalizing, not only the male perspective, but the perspective of a good male. The kind I’m sure those girls are gonna wish they were lucky enough to have around!

The class was pretty fun but the best part was some of the baby necessities we’re going to get out of it. For each class a couple recieves fifteen "Baby Bucks." After eight weeks we will have accumulated $120. The "money" can be redeemed for a multitude of items, donated by area churches and past participants. And you get your "money’s" worth. A crib is $50. Outfits are $5 or less. They have changing tables, strollers, carseats. Tony and I was on cloud nine finding all this out. I’m resting much easier because of some of the stuff we’ve recently acquired and the knowledge that we can soon get more. As obnoxious as some of the hoops I’ve had to jump through for public assistance have been, I’m very greatful for all the resources made known/available to us.

Thursday and Friday were SO NICE! Thursday afternoon I got to sit out in the sunshine and do some of my reading for school. Friday I had a looooong day of Crisis Intervention. Afterwards I came home to Tony mowing the lawn. We went and got slurpees and then bar-b-qued hot dogs and hamburgers. Saturday we braved Wal-mart and Costco….what a mistake! The day before Easter? It was craziness. Easter morning I was outside by nine thirty, drinking my tea and reading the paper. Tony came out and started doing some yardwork. The rest of the morning was spent with him digging out a dirt-filled pond in our backyard while I did my weeks reading. After awhile I got up and helped him. Or attempted. I tried to hack all the weeds/dandelions out with a metal rod because I didn’t want to do a lot of bending! We decided we’re going to plant a garden for the summer. Hopefully we’ll be able to grow some cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, beans, and/or peas.

Then we went to Old Navy to get a pair of gauchos I’ve had my eye on for awhile. I can’t wait for it a to get just a little warmer so I can banish constricting long pants for good. And anything without an elastic waistband while I’m at it! On the way to Tony’s Mom’s house for dinner we stopped at the locks. It’s a bit of a walk from the parking to where you can view this fish (actually it’s probably a short walk but that feels like a bit of one to me nowadays). It started sprinkling when we pulled in and was borderline pouring when we arrived at the viewing center. And there were no fish! I hated it but got over it and then we went on the Billie’s for a ham dinner. And mashed potatoes and asparagus. We watched The Pursuit of Happyness and Ali moved a lot but never when Billie could feel her.

We had a busy weekend (sunburns and all) and I fell asleep pretty early. Today it’s gray and cloudy and I just want the sun to come back!

Twenty-eight weeks!

Spring break if over and, of course, now the sun has begun to show itself! Classes are pretty same old, same old. My biggest dread at the moment is this Friday, which marks the first of four 8:30am-6pm classes. That is a looooooong day. My poor butt. And ankles. And back. And I’ll shut up.

At my doctor’s appointment last week I had my glucose test and was happily surprised to find out I passed. I don’t know why I had this nagging feeling there would be an issue, I think just because sugar seems to really affect me and usually makes me regret partaking. Unfortunately my iron is low….how low I’m not sure and though was told to take an 325mg iron supplement (which sounds like a LOT) , I’m first trying to up my iron intake the natural way. Through food! I already love spinach and eat it a lot but I bought two bags at the store (and next I guess it the Costco five-pounder) so I have no excuse not to have it once or twice a day. My challenge is getting red meat. Besides a burger beef doesn’t often appeal to me. At least not as much as chicken. Or, better yet, seafood. I’m not a big cooker and, while both Tony and I are making efforts and improvements, we seem to gravitate mostly toward meals with chicken and my lunches usually consist of sandwiches or salads (both of which include spinach though!).

Tony grilling us dinner on Monday

Today we’re heading down to Pike Place Market to pick up some pickles for Tony’s little sister in Iowa. On that note, I really should go get in the shower. Rumor has it it’s going to get up to seventy later this week! I’m sure it’ll be when I’m locked in the classroom.

We’ve worked a bit this weekend on building our registry page. The whole concept and it’s implicit etiquette are somewhat strange but God knows we need just about everything. And shopping with a scanner instead of money is very exhilerating! Anyway, please check it out and any comments or suggestions would be very, very appreciated.