The Nursery is Finished!

Whew!  We have been hard at work on the nursery for months.  And while it seemed like it was never going to be finished, it finally is.  Well, I say that, but it's still missing a few pictures; the pink and red construction paper is not going to be staying the frames forever & little Louie needs some representation as well.  OK, it's missing a few pictures and a baby.  Forty-seven days and counting...

The Blank Slate

Standing in the doorway

Standing in the doorway

The door in this picture is the door to the hallway.
Cat not included in design.  He's such a camera whore.  

Dresser/changing table

Doorway and closet

Baby C's First Pictures

We've had quite a few ultrasounds (yea!) but Darin and I decided we wanted to do a 4D ultrasound just for the heck of it.  The following pictures are from September 21.

Face

Face...and a little smile?

Foot

This would be the shot that finally convinced Darin & I she was a girl!
And this picture is Darin's first shot at shielding his little girl from the dangers of the internet! 

Hand

Face

Because she was so small still and, for the most part, plastered up against the placenta most of the time, the ultrasound tech had us come back for a retry.  That was today, October 13.  It is obvious how much she's grown in just 3 weeks.  She didn't get any more compliant, however.  This time around, the tech tried once to get some good pictures and yet again, she didn't want to cooperate.  She really likes to have her head pushed up against my right hip.  So, after the first try, the tech had me sit in the waiting room, pray, do jumping jacks and a few cartwheels (just kidding!) and come back in about a half hour later and try again!  We finally got some good ones.

Sucking on her fingers

Again

Such a sweet face!  

We can't wait to meet you, Baby C!  

Down and Out in Houston

Oh, it has been a loooooooooooong few days in the Coble household.

Darin and I had our very informative childbirth class on Saturday the 8th.  And, although it did get a bit long during a couple videos (I'd say ask Darin, but he nodded off a few times, so I don't know if it seemed as long for him!), it was great information to receive.  Who knew there were so many birth positions?  They clearly do not show any of those in the movies.  It was good to find out about options for birth day as well as ideas and suggestions to make it smoother and a little better.  The countdown is on now!  Less than two months and Darin and I will be going by two new names...Mommy and Daddy.  But, this is not the day that was so long.  This is the day that Darin and I think started the longest 24 hours.

Sunday the 9th started with some normal household chores and then we were just relaxing.  I didn't feel very good from the get go, but didn't think much of it.  Until Darin didn't feel good either that night.  Well, he threw up at 9pm.  I lasted until 12:15am.  And then began the longest day in Houston, thus far.

We finally went to the ER around 8am Monday morning to get some fluids by IV since they were not staying down any other way.  I'm very glad we decided to go in because as it turns out dehydration can cause contractions and it was for me.  They stopped as soon as the fluids were started.  Since I'm pregnant, they took blood samples from me and I guess I had quite the infection going on (and it can be assumed Darin did as well).  We both got discharged with two antibiotics and an anti-nausea med.  Darin and I left the hospital not feeling much better but at least not throwing up anymore!

The rest of Monday and Tuesday were spent sleeping on the couch or in bed.  Wednesday Darin went into work for what was supposed to be 3 hours and turned into 7 hours.  Then the rest of the day was spent on the couch.  Today is Thursday and it looks like we might be on the mend.  Darin went into work this morning and I'm about to leave to take the dogs to the dog park.  They are about to lose their minds being inside so much.  Normally I walk around the track at the park, but I think today I'll just park it on the bench.  Too much jostling on my stomach otherwise and I still don't fully trust it.

Darin and I both think we had a bout of food poisoning...possibly from the sandwiches fed to us at the childbirth class, which was held at the hospital.  That's not a very ethical way to get patients...!

So, it's been pretty bad around here.  And although on Monday I was certain I would feel a million times better if I could just temporarily take the ever moving Baby C out of my belly, I am enjoying her gymnastics moves once again.  Also, I am very thankful we weren't this sick with a newborn.  That would have been a real nightmare!

Single Digits!

We're now in single digits for the number of weeks left until my due date!  Ahhhh!!!!!!  Luckily, we have finally started to get the nursery together.  All the clothes we have so far (and she has QUITE the extensive wardrobe) are washed and hanging up or in the dresser.  Blankets are put away, bottles and bibs are in the kitchen and towels and baby wash are in the bathroom.  We still have a long list of things we need for Baby C (possibly a name other than Baby C...) but it feels good to know that if she decided to make her appearance in the world now, we'd be prepared.  (OK, "prepared" is a strong word...are you ever really prepared to be a parent?  I think not.)

As we look around our house, however, we're wondering where everything else is going to go.  Our nice, new house with the open floor plan is closing in on us.  And having two rambunctious dogs doesn't make anything easier.  It'll all work out though!  It'll just be a little tight in here for awhile.  I'm personally excited to see everything we have so far out in the open.  Darin has had quite a good time playing with our baby monitor...I'm personally excited to get the stroller out and acclimate the dogs to it so they don't pull me and baby C down the street trying to get away from it.  I also would love to take our Baby Einstein play mat out of the box and play with all the toys that come with that cool contraption, but I think I'll just leave it in the box for now.  Less time for the dogs and cat to claim it as their own.

Here is a current picture of me.  I'll post nursery pictures as soon as it's done, which hopefully won't be long now!

30 weeks

The weather in Houston is changing for the better.  It was 60 or below Saturday, Sunday and today when we woke up.  What a great change!  The high is 84 for today which may seem hot to those who live up North, but when you've been dealing with high 90s - 100 degree days for so long, 84 feels like a cool front!  It's awesome weather and I'm reminded once again why I wanted to move South.  Just like every spring reminds others why they want to live in Minnesota!  And just like Minnesotans know to be tentatively happy with the mild spring weather because they know another snowstorm is inevitable, I know there will be more 90+ degree days.  But I see the light at the end of the tunnel and I'm liking what I see! 

We were really able to enjoy the weather this weekend...Darin got a new grill!  He found it on Craigslist and it works like a charm!  It's almost brand new and the Darin/grill combo made some fantastic pork chops and steaks on Sunday for lunch and dinner!  It's more protein than I've probably had in a week, but it was delicious!  He also installed our new ceiling fan in the patio.  Makes for quite the enjoyable experience outside now.  He is so handy, it never ceases to amaze me.  

Life is good in Houston....  And I think it's going to get even better!

There's No Place Like Home...

Well, I have returned to Houston after what was my last trip home to Minnesota by myself.  Darin was concerned I wasn't coming back, but he should know that I would never abandon my puppies and Louie!  ...Kidding, Darin, I wouldn't abandon you either!  Although I know he knows I'd never do something as selfish as leaving him to fend for himself in Houston, I appreciate the fact that he knows how hard it is for me to leave Minnesota.  It doesn't matter how long I stay (and I was home for 10 days this time), it's never long enough.  I miss my family, I miss my friends, I miss my city--Minneapolis.

It was so nice being home.  On the 10th I attended my baby shower hosted by Kasi and Louisa.  It was so much fun.  I can't really put into words why it was so much fun, it was basically a normal shower (with some great additions, yes), but it was wonderful.  It has been a very long time since I've laughed and cried that much in one day.  It was exhausting and fantastic and I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.  Being so far from home makes me appreciate my family so much more and I realized once again how much love surrounds me and the very active baby girl in my belly.

Soon to Be...Grandma, Mom, Auntie

Me and Louisa (with Drew's newly planted mums)

Me and Grandma J

Mom, Me and Grandma Blackstad

Me and Mom & Dad

I saw some of my friends and enjoyed hanging out and talking about nothing...and a lot more!  Some of my friends I have known for half my life and some I've known for a lot less, but either way, I love being with them.  Your true friends become much more obvious when you live 1000 miles from home.  

Of course I got to spend time with Kasi, although not enough time.  I figure we can make up for that fact when she's in Houston for two and a half weeks in December after Baby C makes her arrival.  I'm already looking forward to it not only because I love being with her, but because I know she is going to be the best aunt!  

Most of my time, however, was spent with my parents.  I don't think there is any place in the world that I feel safer and more secure than my parents' home.  And I think the reason for that is there is such love there.  No matter how old I get, I will always be their child.  (And that's not to say that I don't feel safe and secure and loved with my husband, but it's different--as it should be!)  I got to thinking a lot about my relationship with my parents while I was at home and the fact that I hope and pray I have as wonderful a relationship with my baby as I have with my parents.  I hope she always feels as loved, safe and secure with me as I feel with my parents.  I hope she knows that no matter what she does or says or thinks or feels, I will love her unconditionally.   And I hope she knows that there is no one in the world who loves her more than me.  I know all this already...and I haven't even seen her face yet.

As completely ridiculous as this sounds, this trip home made it so much more real that I am, in fact, going to be a mom!  I don't know why that is.  You would think my huge stomach that wiggles and moves at random would be real enough, but apparently not!  Maybe I just needed my people to see the belly and get excited about it, who knows.  All I know is that I am so grateful to have so many good people in my life.  I know not everyone can say that and it truly is a gift to have so much love and support.  I think I'm going to need it...this is going to be quite the adventure Darin and I are embarking on!

25 weeks down!

Well, we're 25 weeks down and only 15 to go!  Can't believe how quickly time is flying by.  I had another appointment on Wednesday the 24th.  All is well, except for the fact that I'm "bigger than normal" for 25 weeks.  Just what every pregnant woman wants to hear!  Ha!  Anyway, we went back in today for another ultrasound to make sure I'm not further along than 25 weeks, I'm not, and everything is great!  She is absolutely a "she" and appears very healthy.  All measurements are "normal" for 25 weeks and her heartbeat was at 164, music to our ears!

Here is a current picture of me and the belly.

And here is a picture of what's inside the belly-legs above her head!!  

In the waiting room, she was kicking up a storm and moving like crazy.  Then we got to the ultrasound and she didn't want to move.  She stayed in this position the entire time and was apparently a very tired girl because the ultrasound tech said she kept yawning!  All those gymnastics moves are very tiring! 

Things are progressing well and now we're looking very forward to our 4D ultrasound at the end of September.  That should be pretty amazing!  Until then, we're going to continue to plug away at the nursery, try to find a name we both love and enjoy our child-free life...the days are numbered!

The Furry Coble Kids

Our every day lives are pretty boring around here.  But, the dogs usually keep me entertained.  And occasionally the cat too.  So, here are some pictures of my three favorite furry babies.

Can't we all just get along?  Believe it or not, this is major progress.

Josie guarding her beloved toy and Boomer, sitting like the very handsome and obedient boy he is.

She can't get enough of her chew toys.

And Boomer can't get any chew toy.  Poor baby!  Mean sister!

Until, that is, Josie looks like this.  This is generally Boomer's cue to swoop in and steal a few minutes with the toy.

Drying off their wet paws in the kennel.  They are so cute.

And, of course, the original Coble kid, Louie.  Helping with a baby project.    

Here are a couple videos for your amusement (or not so much) also.  The first is from the old house in Amarillo and just of Josie.  I apologize for you having to go to the links.  For some unknown reason, they won't play in the blog itself.  

http://youtu.be/wom_4Ks9trs

The second is from June 2011 of both Josie and Boomer.

http://youtu.be/NbQ1_NEvdJI