Hanging in there!

Just a few short weeks to go before we meet Riess. She is doing just fine and has been very active lately. I'm counting on her not showing up until her due date, since I still don't have her nursery finished! Don't worry, though, it is getting there! Chris and I will be putting some of the finishing touches on it today.
I've been washing all of her bedding, clothes and socks this week. I have found I LOVE the smell of Dreft! It smells just like a sweet baby. I think I may start using it for some of my own laundry! But folding her tiny clothes and socks make me super excited to see her in them. She already has quite a wardrobe, thanks to all of her loving friends and family (and a few things from mom.... okay, it's hard to resist!)
I am now seeing the doctor once a week, so each Monday I will be in the doctor's office for an update. He says he should be able to give me a "good idea" if I should be on "standby" that week or not. This is good... especially for Chris, who I'm still worried will be stuck in an airport in Green Bay when our precious little one arrives.
As soon as I know, I will let you all know. And those nursery pictures are coming soon! By the way, the rug in the room is super comfy and Guinness has decided it is there solely for his sleeping pleasure. He loves it and I've found him sleeping in there on several occasions without anyone else in the room. We'll see how that goes over when there is a screaming baby sharing "his" room...
Soon enough!

36 weeks: ready for her close-up!

 And so here's a bonus post!  Our picture of baby Riess isn't as good this time as last, because she is pretty squished up in there.  Her face was squished into the placenta, so it was hard for them to get a good look at her face, but here's one of the better pictures.  

I like it because she's waving to us all out here!  Yes, that's her hand waving right by her face!

She also stuck her tongue out at us during the ultrasound!  The technician was cracking up because she said she had never seen a baby do that!  I guess she already has a bit of an attitude.  Watch out, mom and dad!  

I still think she looks just like Chris --  We'll see soon enough!

ONE MONTH TO GO!

Well, I had no idea I had so many fans of my blog until I got a little lazy with my writing!  I have heard from lots of you about getting back on the ball and writing.  I'll admit, I haven't had much time to write lately, so here's a BIG update.

So first up, here's the latest belly picture.  And this was about a month ago!

We are exactly one month away from my due date now.  Hard to believe! 

Yesterday, Chris and I went to my 36-week checkup.  That's where we had another ultrasound and an exam.  We found out that "little" Jane Riess can now go by "big" Jane Riess... she is already weighing in at 6 pounds and 8 ounces!!  No doubt, she will be a big, healthy girl!

We also found out I am not yet dilated, which is good.  And it looks like I'm right on target to deliver fairly close to my due date (as of now.  Of course, that could change!)  

A good thing she's not coming too soon, because the second thing everyone wants to know about is the NURSERY.

No, I'm not finished with it.  And yes, I'm working on it!

Here are pictures I took of the "before:"

                             

See, this was our bedroom.  We had to move our things out of there, and move to the bedroom next door.  Now, trust me... this isn't what it looks like today.  It's really shaping up now, but I'm going to wait to post those pictures when it is finally finished.  So, stay tuned!!!!  

Chris painted the room the weekend before last and this weekend, we put together all of the furniture.  So, it's getting there!  It looks great. 

And that brings me to a big thank you... THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU... to all of you who were able to come to my baby showers.  I would certainly not have nearly enough cute, cuddly, and practical things to put in that nursery if it weren't for you all.  For those of you who sent gifts but weren't able to make it, we missed you and I so appreciate you thinking of us.  I had three wonderful showers ... and came home with more than I ever imagined for Miss Riess.  She is a lucky girl, as am I, to have friends and family like you all.  

 Keep posting comments.  I love reading them.  And I promise I'll be posting more soon!  This is all just leading up to the main attraction... she'll be here in about 30 days!

POWERFUL!

We finally got our power back yesterday afternoon!  It was a LONG seven days going without electricity!  I didn't realize how much sleep I lost until I slept in my comfy room with the air conditioner on and my fan full blast last night.  Ahhh... just wonderful.

The silver lining of it all is that Chris was able to work from Louisville last week because of everything happening.  It was wonderful having him home.  Plus, we spent a LOT of time talking and planning all things baby since we couldn't entertain ourselves with the TV or internet.  We spent some good quality family time, just the four of us (Guinness included).  

Lights Out

Many of you all felt it too... the "Windstorm of 2008." At least, that's what my station has dubbed it. We certainly felt the winds of Hurricane Ike hit here this Sunday. We had 81 mph winds - a category 1 hurricane!
Who would have thought we would leave Charleston and then have a hurricane hit Kentucky?
So, Chris and I are still without power for a 3rd day along with about 150,000 Louisville residents (as of today). The trees knocked down powerlines and electricity to 75% of the city. Our neighborhood still looks like a disaster area.
We (so far) narrowly missed real disaster when the wind split one of the large trees in our backyard in two sending half of it bending over our roof. Luckily another large tree caught it, but now both trees are bending right over our roof. Chris was so worried that they could come crashing through the roof in the middle of the night that we spent the first few nights in our basement on the futon bed. Now, THAT was comfy for my aching pregnant body...as you may imagine!
We are now gambling that the tree is stable and sleeping in our bed upstairs.
Chris is working from the Deloitte office in Louisville this week in order to stay home with me and Guinness. It has been a real treat having him home in the evenings after work... it's like we're a normal family!
We're waiting for the tree people to get around to our house to remove the trees (who knows when!) We're also waiting for power to be restored (also who knows when!) We've been told it could be the middle or end of NEXT WEEK before we have electricity again.
Luckily the weather has been beautiful since the storm, so as long as our doors and windows are open it's fairly nice. I was off work Monday and Tuesday and it truly is amazing how much I can get done around the house with no television, phone or Internet!
I'm back to work today (hence the being back online). I know power is still out in parts of Owensboro as well... my mom included. I hope everyone gets back up and running soon. The novelty of it all wore off after the first night for us...

Barefoot and Pregnant

Well, I finally know where the phrase "barefoot and pregnant" came from.  It doesn't only apply to us Kentuckians, or even those from West Virginia... although I know that's the stereotype.  

I am officially barefoot and pregnant -- and that's the only way I'm comfortable.

My feet have swollen to the size of small melons.  Nothing is comfortable on my feet... even my most comfortable shoes leave marks where any straps touch my skin.  

Yesterday, I walked to grab lunch in (what used to be very comfortable) flats.  They started to hurt about halfway through the walk.  By the time I got back to my desk, I had to kick them off and prop my feet up under my workstation.  Unfortunately, the time came for me to walk to the printer.  I went to slip my feet back in the flats... and whoa! they wouldn't fit.  I debated walking over in my bare feet, but I knew it would be entirely too cliche to do so.  So I squeezed my club feet into my shrinking shoes and waddled over to the printer.  You should have seen me walk to my car.  I can't imagine labor can be much more painful than that (okay, just kidding...)

So, yes, I'm officially barefoot and pregnant.  I am a classic Kentuckian.  And proud of it.  Because here at home, writing on my computer, I can spread my fat toes.  But tomorrow, I'm going to have to buy some bigger shoes.

"Labor" Day weekend

I’m a little behind writing … but we had a wonderful Labor Day weekend.  First of all, congrats to Ashley (Warren) Howard – she gave birth to a baby boy on “Labor” Day!  How appropriate.  She’s one of many friends who will be having babies this fall and winter.  All playmates for baby Riess!

Friday, we went to dinner with Kristi and her boyfriend, Jake.  He was in Louisville to do the Ironman triathalon!  Talk about a congratulations in order.  He did GREAT!  We loved meeting him at dinner and are very proud that we actually know a tri-athlete.  Go Jake!

Saturday, Ashley and Lacey were in town for the big Tankdog draft party. It's the party Chris and his friends hold every year for their Fantasy Football draft.

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Their fantasy league is sort of like a fraternity for these guys who really wish they were still in college...   

  We had a great time.  I even stayed out until 1am!  I was very proud of myself.  Hey, even us mommas know how to party!  

And we did some more "partying" the next day at the UK/UofL game.  

We tailgated at the stadium with all our friends. 

  Mr. and Mrs. Bruce threw a great tailgate for everyone!   

It was HOT HOT HOT, though, so we opted to actually watch the game at a friend's house rather than sit in the heat in the stadium.  

It was a good call for me and Baby Riess.