Predilection (pred-l ek shun)

You are looking at a 33 week old baby bump. What you don't see is all the little shifts and moves she's been making. I feel like I'm small house with attached garage size. I will admit I'm feeling good and at our appointment all things were looking good too. Her heatbeat was 150-which is what it's been at consistently. My least favorite part of the day is getting dressed. Nothing is fitting the way I think it could - only my earrings. I've now taken to wearing vacation pants and I've discovered something. If I would have worn these at work pre-pregnancy, I wouldn't have been positively regarded. Now house-sized, I got a lot of compliments. When I run out of options and end up wearing our king-sized sheets like a toga party, I hope the "cute bump" feeling still exists.

Was a three day weekend. We got some stuff done around the house that I've been wishing and hoping for. Matt put the baseboard up in the kitchen and despite him hoping for the white, he did go with my chocolate look. We can officially say the floor is finished.

We also can officially say GOOD-BYE! to the ugly wood light that hung over the kitchen counter. We found the one we'd been wanting for a great price. We picked one up and will be slowly making changes/updates to the other ones. I'm so happy with the subtle changes in opening up the space and giving more light. Matt did most of the work. I helped where I could.  

It was a big hockey weekend at our house. The UND Sioux hockey was in a couple do or die games. I'm about hockeyed out for the season but I was glad to see them win as Matt really wants them to have a good run at the Frozen Four. So he watched and boo'd and cheer'd and I sewed some things for the baby. Nothing too much but I was excited to make burp clothes. I had done these for Tiff's baby and was happy to do it for ours.

On Sunday, we celebrated Easter... here's the thing about the celebration. At one point I looked around the table at my grandparents, my parents, my sister, and my in-laws and realized how lucky I was that everyone was there. Matt and I didn't have to chose sides and it was wonderful. We got to see them all - Not only are we lucky in being able to share the day with both sides but it really warmed my heart that my daughter will have so many opportunities to see and share her life with people that love her. 

 It's good to see the bantering and share the meal. I believe my Dad and Michele even picked out where they are going to build their lake cabin. Ha!

Best meal: Easter dinner.... my mother made creamed chicken for me but we also had mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad, bread, deviled eggs, and angel food cake (G. Elaine style) for dessert! AND then we got to take the extra spinach dip home to enjoy! It's like the Easter that keeps on giving!

Name of the week: Stella
Cravings: Tacos, milk
Pregnancy Symptoms: Swelling (we went and bought compression socks), clumsiness, lack of energy, tiredness, inability to sleep, crazy dreams

Michele walks in front door: You aren't nearly as big as I thought.
ALR: Um, thanks, I think.
Michele: Well, you don't put a picture up and I thought you'd be way out there.
ALR: Don't you think I am?
Michele: No! What a disappointment.
ALR: UM, I'm sorry?
Michele: Judy's gonna be pissed, she was hoping you'd be as big as a moose.
ALR: Well I'm not done growing.
Michele: Well, you better get going, we were huge.

Burgeon (bur juhN)

Okay, we have made "big" headway in the pregnancy. We are at the stage where I'm a decent sized house and I can no longer wear socks (and most of my shoes). I've also lost my ankles. They were here a couple days ago and then one day I looked down, they were gone. It also appears that I've made a ledge in my lap. I'm assuming it has plans to become a table.

It was the weak after the time change, and I drug all week.
On Tuesday, we were lucky to celebrate our friend, Jon's birthday. He and Kim were in town for work related stuff but we had a great night at the Bistro. They are such a fun couple for us because of the connections with the airport, hunting, traveling, fishing, etc. We always have time fly by with them.


An uplifting part of the week included me sending Matt to a garage sale selling baby items. I will admit when he doesn't speak the language, it's hard to describe what I want him to look for. He did show up with a bouncer seat, activity jumper seat, a floor mat, and a bottle cleaner. He didn't know what any of these items were but he did have a support team with him to point out what he needed and what he didn't.

The weekend started the best way possible, with pizza. I pushed Matt to make a new pizza, cheeseburger. I would say it turned out pretty well. I have looked forward to the weekend or should I say, sleep-in days. Matt went on morning fish trips, I organized the house and listened to Lola scream to be let outside. I did end up going for a drive with him looking for river fishing holes.

Best meal: Jon's birthday meal at Bistro with caprese salad to start and bananas flambe to finish it up.

Name of the week: Eila
Cravings: tacos and nibs & starburst (for the texture)
Pregnancy symptoms: swelling/water retention, dysgeusia, tiredness, indigestion, hugeness

MJR looking at ALR get ready for bed.
ALR: What?
MJR: I just didn't realize how big you've gotten.
ALR stares at him.
MJR continue to look.
ALR: If that's your attempt to make me feel good about myself it's not helping.
MJR: No, you look good, I just really hadn't looked. 
MJR continues to look.
ALR: Did you think I was joking when I said I think I doubled in size this past weekend? Like bread dough.
ALR shuts door on MJR.
Next morning, ALR kisses MJR goodbye.
MJR: you are doing a really good job of housing our daughter.
ALR: thanks, her lease is about up.

Ruminate (roo muh neyt)

It was a beautiful week this week... 50, 60's and 70's. Was hard to believe that when we went to UMAS in Grand Forks we had to start the car on a daily basis and let it run just so it would start when we wanted it to. Now the conference attendees had polos and I even wore sandals to the vendor show. Matt was glad for it to be done come Tuesday evening after the banquet because it's a little bit different running the show versus attending.

We celebrated it being over by getting new phones. Matt has had his phone since he broke his old one the night we got married on the floor of the Radisson. I've had mine for over a year and had become really frustrated with the quality of pictures. I didn't realize how excited Matt was about this new technology until we got home and he got synced up and connected.

On Friday, we had our last monthly appointment. As we slide into the 8th month, we'll start visiting the clinic every two weeks. She was pretty active and kicked at the doppler for Dr. Jan. Her heartbeat was 154, which is inline with what we had. I was a bit surprised when Dr. Jan measured me and said, "oh, you've really grown! You are measuring right at 31 weeks and her head is right here!"

That night, we went out to the farm to celebrate Mom's birthday. Was quiet as it was the five of us for steaks and sides with key lime pie for cake.

Saturday was a slower day. Matt went fishing and I worked around the house cleaning and organizing a bit. On Sunday, we stayed close to home. We've been itchy to get out in the garden due to the nice weather. We decided it was time to look at the garden beds. Matt even got a soil kit to test our nitrogen and ph levels. Our kitchen counter became a chemistry lab. We even hashed out what we wanted to plant this year - we changed a few things this go around. Aside from crop rotation we are also adding carrots to the mix and taking out a few things.We also plan to put blood meal on the garden on Monday to bring up our nitrogen. 

We weren't the only ones that wanted to go play in the weather. Lola wanted to go outside and wanted to go badly. She howled incessantly Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday. It drove Matt and I crazy. Matt even attempted to put her on her leased harness and take her out. Didn't work well.

Best meal: While Matt was at the banquet, I enjoyed Taco Bell chalupas.

Name of the week: Sloan
Cravings: Licorice nibs, tacos, milk
Pregnancy Symptoms: water retention in feet and legs, indigestion, restless nights, vivid dreams, incessant grunting, much more consistent baby movements on a regular basis

ALR: Hey, hand me that nail file on your side table.
MJR: No, its mine.
ALR: What?!
MJR: It's all nice and rough and doesn't have your nail crude all over.
ALR: Are you serious?
MJR: You are going to ruin my emery board.
ALR: Who are you?

This was the face that met I got after I started going through a massive pile of baby girl clothes that Matt and I had picked up at a rummage sale. After washing, I set it all out to evaluate and someone seems very concerned about his future. 

Incalescent (in-kuh-les-uh nt)

Well, we are at that part of the pregnancy where I'm medium house sized. Nothing fits. I mean nothing. Socks are too tight, shoes hurt, pants all have an elastic component. Each day dressing for work is a battle of spirit and I'm becoming broken. I still have two months to go but I keep thinking that work will not be impressed when I show up in that last month wearing our king sized bed sheets and a tarp strap.

I also grunt a lot. I grunt when I sit up, get up, reach down, pick things up, or even sit down. I can feel my joints loosening and shifting and I'm actually having a hard time remembering what it was like to not be pregnant. And I have an incredible thirst, especially in the morning. I could almost drink 24 oz before I even crawl out of bed in the morning. This may be contributing factor to my constant trips to the bathroom.

We are still working on the nursery. Matt and I got pictures hung, the crib dressed, the mobile put together, the room situated a bit more. I still have some items on my list but I feel great about how it's coming together. We don't have a theme but I like the look. I even got to pull out my nursery scentsy warmer that I had bought awhile back to save for the possibility.

Nice weekend, aside from decorating, Matt also persuaded me to join him on his fishing excursion since the temps were well in the 50s on day and the 70s the next. Hard to believe it's March! While he didn't catch anything this go around, it was good to see him enjoying the sun.

UMAS also started on Sunday. I always like going to these with Matt - the aviation world is pretty tight and it's a social event for me.

Beat Meal: We had shredded beef sandwiches with coleslaw. Wasn't anything out of this world but really hit the spot!

Name of the week: Nell

Cravings: sweets after meals, Mexican (salsa, tacos)

Pregnancy symptoms: In-De-Gest-TION from everything (bagels, yogurt, salad), knee/joint pain, swelling, frequent bathroom breaks, and the weird dreams continue

ALR and MJR having supper.
ALR: There was things I tried to call you about today.
MJR: Well, I was busy.
ALR: What's going to happen when I go into labor? How am I going to get a hold of you?
MJR: Well, that's different.
ALR: How will you know? Does labor rings sound different?
The next day... over text.
MJR texts: Going into a meeting for next 2-2.5 hours. Text if you go into labor
ALR texts: YOU ARE NOT FUNNY.
ALR texts: NOW I'M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU.
MJR texts: Oh ok.
MJR texts: When she comes out tell her I love her.
ALR texts: I'll just show her your text.

Gestation (je-stey-shuh-N)

Well - it was a big week for baby. not only have we had this super spurt of growth and movement. So much so that Matt saw her for the first time and I felt her flip around. She also has a very active presence in our house. While I was in Minneapolis, Matt was getting her furniture into the house. Both her crib and dresser/changing table arrived and was set up and placed for when I came home. Her crib was a gift from Grandma and Grandpa Remynse while the dresser came from Grandma and Grandpa Moser. Was kinda a shock to see the room change so drastically - like it's really going to happen... like I haven't just been smuggling watermelons around.

With the crib, it was the final push for me to get after Matt as I've been wanting to decorate as well as get things in place for our registry. Typically men don't care about the specifics decorations on the wall, well he has an opinion and the first round of pics ended up going back to the store.

Best meal: It wasn't a best meal situation but we did have a "order pizza" situation. I attempted an egg roll casserole. We ended up with freezer pizza.
Actually, the best meal was probably the fresh cut bacon that showed up in my bed because Matt wanted me to sample it. Matt finally finished smoking and butchering and wrapping and we have put all the butchering toys away.

Name of the week: Rebecca
Cravings: Milk, Taco Bell, seriously, I could eat tacos everyday.
Pregnancy Symptoms: breathlessness, return of sciatic pain. larger feet, mucus-y, indigestion, swelling

Going into Target to complete the registry
MJR: Do we know what we are doing?
ALR: Um, maybe we should have brought a list.
MJR: What would we have put on the list?
ALR: Valid point.
MJR: We have no clue what we are doing.
Later on....
ALR: Scan this.
MJR: Why?
ALR: Must you question me?
MJR: I want to know your reason, how do you know what that even does?
ALR: Scan IT!
Later on...
ALR: Quit scanning that!
Later on.....
ALR: I need to grab some socks. We'll have to cut through women's under garments.
ALR hears the beep of the scanner.
ALR: Quit scanning in this department!

Attempt at taking my 7 month picture.... first go round didn't realize I was "barely" in the shot.