Last Day of Work & Baby Shower

Friday, May 25th, was my last day at work and also my baby shower. What a day it was! I was busy closing stuff out for work and making sure that I was bringing everything home that I needed to take with me (such as pictures and other personal items).

When it came time for my baby shower, I showed up in a very pink room decorated with balloons, pink table cloths and baby girl posters. Vicki Helgeson, a fellow admin and good friend, coordinated a very special party for me and the baby. There was a potluck with tons of fabulous food, games and a mound of gifts. Everyone who contributed made incredible food contributions, and of course I could eat everyone out of house and home at this point in the pregnancy!

The games were: clothespin game (don't cross your legs or you could lose your clothespin!), draw a picture of a baby on the bottom of a paper plate while the plate is on the top of your head, and guess how much ribbon will fit around Shawnna's tummy. I'd never played these and thought they were so original and fun!

And when it came to the gifts, I thought I'd be opening the generous pile for hours! There were so many adorable and thoughtful gifts that everyone brought for me and the baby. I can't get over how cute everything is.

Then there was the favors...Vicki, is truly amazing! I have never seen anything like these little pacifiers made out of lifesavers, pink jelly beans and royal icing. I appreciate the time she put into these fantastic favors.

Last but not least, I have to mention the cake. Not only was it out-of-this-world cute, but written on it was "Goodbye Tummy, Hello Mummy". Whoever thought of that is so clever!

I'd like to publicly thank these ladies for a wonderful goodbye celebration. I feel so lucky to be part of an organization of wonderful individuals who make every day a pleasure to come to work.

I'll be updating the blog and letting you all know when Baby Cutforth arrives!

Childbirth Education Class

On Saturday, Shawnna and I attended a childbirth education class and Tuesday we had a breastfeeding class. These classes were meant to educate us about what to expect before, during and after the birth. They showed pictures, used props and played videos designed to prepare us for what we are about to experience. We talked about everything from the discomforts of pregnancy (there are MANY) to the anatomy & physiology of labor and even some postpartum tips to help us care for the baby as well as ourselves after the birth. There is so much to know that it was a bit overwhelming, but I know we'll figure it out as we go along, so I'm not that worried.

The funniest moment during the childbirth class occurred while we were watching a video of a baby being born. As soon as the slimy, alien-looking baby popped out, one of the guys in the class exclaimed out loud, "Oh, shit!" Apparently, he must have only seen birth on TV shows where babies come out looking cute and dry. After I finished laughing, I realized that at least I was more prepared than that guy - it made me feel better :-)

As part of the class, we got a tour of the birthing center at Sutter Tracy Hospital where they showed us exactly what to expect while we are there. We saw the birthing suites, the nursery, they told us about the strict security features and let us know that the baby could stay within our eyesight the entire time we're there if we choose. Basically, they told us that we call the shots and the staff is there to assist us with whatever we need and make our stay as comfortable as possible. The way they described it, I'm expecting a Club Med experience... with some afterbirth thrown in as a reality check.

My First Mother's Day

I awoke this morning to find a beautiful poem from our baby girl that was framed and written through the eyes of Dave. I couldn't get through the first 2 lines without crying. Here's why:

Dear Mommy,
I’m sorry that I bring you pain, but just you wait and see
Once that I am born, you’ll know true love and agony
Right now I’m just a four pound lump of baby on the way
But with your care and nourishment I’ll grow real big someday
I know I make you tired, achy, gassy all the time
But in two months you’ll truly know the meaning of sublime
For when I make my exit from my fluid-filled cocoon
The doc will put me on your chest and make you want to swoon
Once the blood comes rushing back into your weary head
You’ll see that I’m a miracle now sitting in your bed
So try to think of all the fun our future has in store
And realize it’s nature and not me that makes you sore
You keep me warm and fed and safe so I wanted now to say
I love you for taking care of me and Happy Mother’s Day!
Love,
Baby Girl

Attached to the back of the framed poem, was a gift certificate for me to have a couple of spa treatments at my favorite spa in Tracy. You can bet this will be used and enjoyed!
I did not expect this day to include gifts, nor did I expect to be so bowled over by emotions. But it was an incredible day to say the least.
In addition to this amazing gift, we joined Dave's family for lunch in which I also received a Mother's Day card and gift from my Mother-in-Law. I will enjoy spending the gift certificate at Babies R Us, as there are definitely things that I'll need to buy for our bundle of joy.
I also received Mother's Day wishes from others, and very much appreciate the sentiment.

Thank you to everyone who made my first Mother's Day so special!

Baby Shower

Today was the day of our baby shower at the Hidden Lake Clubhouse in Tracy. It was a nice facility that was plenty big enough for our purpose with a separate nook that was perfect for holding all the presents - and there were lots.

It was great to see all of our family and friends who showed up to celebrate our coming arrival. We are very grateful to have so many people who are excited for us and want to be a part of our baby girl's life.

After eating lunch consisting of pasta, salad and bread, we had some fun playing games (unscramble the baby names, finish the baby-related song lyrics, answer the baby trivia, name the famous family members). Then it was time to open presents. We received all of our furniture, LOTS of clothes, toys, books, burp rags, bibs, diapers, blankets, safety accessories and even an infant-sized personal floatation device (life vest) among many other things. With all the clothes we received, there's no doubt we're going to have the best dressed baby girl and she never has to wear the same outfit twice :-)

Getting home after the shower, it was a bit overwhelming to bring all of our newly acquired possessions into the house. Who knew a baby needed so much stuff - now we just need to make room. The next step will be to paint the baby's room and start decorating it. Of course, that's the fun part which is more for the parents than the baby since I don't think she'll appreciate the matching lamp shade, light switch cover and wall hangings.

Thanks to Leanna and Madonna for throwing the shower and it was great to see everyone there. Just a couple of more months to go - ready or not...

32 Weeks down, 8 to go!

Here's my updated picture. I'm getting bigger, feeling a little more tired, but everything is progressing as good as can be hoped for - knock on wood.

I have 3 more weeks at work before taking leave, which I'm looking forward to. It will be nice not having to make the trek to work everyday even though I'm sure it won't be a party at home either, but it will be more relaxing.

I've started making a list of things I'll need to do once I'm on leave, and before the baby gets here. Seems that nesting phase has begun, because my list of things to do are all about organizing the house, the garage and getting the front yard landscaped. Go figure!