Snow is awesome... when you're not pregnant

I remember snow being exciting. The thought of it catapults me to the mountaintops in Washington and Oregon where I'd tighten my goggles, strap in my boots and glide down the white slopes.

Unfortunately, when you're pregnant, you can't snowboard. You can't really do a lot of things, actually. Instead, your husband (with such wonderful intentions), keeps you locked inside the house.

I slowly retreated like a sad puppy when Kyle angrily stared me down as I showered and dressed for work while the news anchorwoman in the background repeatedly said "don't travel unless it's absolutely necessary." Heck, work is "absolutely necessary" in my mind. But yesterday there was a sheet of ice over an inch thick on the ground. I agree. It's not worth trying to scoot my way out the door when I'm already off balance thanks to my enlarged stomach. One fall could be devastating. Thankfully, though, the Internet allows one to tap into work on icy days like yesterday.

One thing I'm learning quickly is that being a mom requires sacrifices before the kid even arrives. I like to think of myself as a career-driven woman with multiple dreams and desires. But I've seen the same scare tactic movies and know enough mothers to assume that my dreams will always be there but that I may take a few detours before I get there.

Well, last night it snowed over the ice. So Kyle sweetly cleared and salted a pathway for me off our back deck and out to the street. Here's one of the photos I was able to get as I sucked in the crisp, fresh air.

Ah yes. I remember snow being exciting. It still is (from the window). And although I don't live near mountains anymore, I'm guessing the snow will be much more exciting in the future as I get to build snowmen in it with my kids.

Baby Registry

Talk about a tedious and daunting experience.

Kyle and I went registry shopping. First, we hit up Baby's "R" Us. Not only did I find the breast pump decision confusing and scary but the bottle decisions are endless. I plan to breastfeed our little boy until 6 months if I can bear it. But, daddy's going to need to step in at some point. But, I hear you don't know what your baby will want in a bottle until they try them out. Needless to say, our registry contains more bottle options than anything else. A sterilizer, bottle brush, drying rack...? Holy crap. The list is endless.

Babies "R" Us ended up being the store we registered our "necessities" at. So, the receiving blankets, cloth diapers, onesies, medical and grooming kits -- you get the idea.

Then, we went to Storkland (a local OKC store). We found our modern crib and furniture, our German-made (ridiculously expensive) stroller with a reversible handlebar, hand break, custom fabric and "cool" wheels (so Kyle calls them).

Lastly, we found modernnursery.com. Hallelujah! Finally, some non-country, modern-looking patterns and earth-friendly options. Granted, the prices are steep, but it will be worth it to keep our nursery decor what we had hoped, a highchair that fits in with our new remodel (and won some sort of prestigious award in the Netherlands) and a sweet looking swinger and rocker. (see photos)

I know anyone who reads this who has children will think "it won't matter once he's here." But, please trust me, it will. I honestly did not find anything (pattern-wise) at any of the national chains that we can look at for less than a minute and stay sane. So, if you're reading this and you're coming to one of my three showers, please, please, please follow our registry. I know the plain white and tan outfits aren't as "cute" as you would have hoped, but unless we're desperate and our house burnt down and there was nothing else to keep him warm, we won't put him in any bunny-eared pajamas, choo choo train pants and tops or anything with bows.

I mean, we're parents! We finally get to call the shots for once!

Our crib


Bedding


High chair


My personal favorite, a sick rocker

Belly's getting big

Well, I'm about 26 weeks along and the heartburn is almost unbearable. I hear it's worth it though. Thank goodness.

We'll be starting the final phase of our remodel (master bath and bedroom) so we can move out of what will be the nursery room and start sleeping where we should have been sleeping since we moved in over a year and a half ago.

We also finally purchased our dining room table and chairs. Of course we had to test it out with a formal dinner with candlelight and soft music while sitting on opposite ends of the table like in the movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

I can't believe we're 3 months away from having our son. It's amazing to think how much our lives will change from that day on.

Well, Kyle promised he would rub my feet tonight if I cut up some fresh celery. Sounds like a deal to me so I'm cutting this blog entry short!

Happy New Year!