By the Numbers

BABY-

• 30 weeks pregnant today!  That's 75% done.  3/4s of the way there.  OhMyGosh.

Pregnant Belly, Pregnant Booty.  I think of it as reserves (of something) for Obi!

• 7(ish) months pregnant: So here's the deal.  I "began being pregnant (week 1)" 6 months, 4 weeks, and 1 day go.  That's sorta 7 months, but not really.  I am due in 2 months, 1 week, and 2 days.  That's sorta 9 months minus 2 months equals 7 months, but not really.  Basically, I use weeks, but since you keep asking, we'll call it 7 months!
• 8/5 is my next doctor's appointment (so I'm sure I'll have more numbers then).  There are 8 more appointments scheduled, leading right up to my due date!
• 1 piece of furniture in the baby's room; $7.00 to buy the contact paper to cover the bookshelf, and the only money I've spent on this kid so far!

Contact Paper-covered Bookshelf

• 2:00am is when my eyes finally closed last night.  Going to be a long 10 weeks if that keeps happening!
• 2 meetings with pediatricians, 2 tours of hospitals, and 4 tours down with 3 to go (for now) of infant classrooms in preschools

LIFE IN LAS VEGAS-

• 11 days between filling up my car with gas.  THIS IS AMAZING and about 2-3 times longer than I could go in Phoenix
• 8 miles per gallon less on a tank here than in Phoenix.  Highway driving, no matter how much traffic there is, really makes the most of a tank of gas!
• 100 miles less on a tank here than in Phoenix, minimum.  Lame.
• 3 days until my mama comes to visit for a week!
• 11/22/63 is the Stephen King book I just started... and just finished.  Yes, I have time to read an 850 page book (for now) and that makes me a very happy girl!
• 0 is the number of houses Brian and I own.  House closed yesterday... phew!  Feels soooo good!
• 4 days in a row that I have not watched the TODAY Show.  It's just not that good since Baby Georgie was born and Natalie's back from London.  Just kidding, I've been reading instead!

JOHNNY-

• 0 dogs cuter than mine
• 8:30pm-1:30am is prime time for barking.  Who knew?!

Do you think he puts his ear like that on purpose so he can hear if other dogs start barking while he is sleeping?

• 1 day (more like hour) it took Johnny to destroy a replica of the snake that got the better of his nose

Loving the snake toy

And then there was no tongue...

Shabbat Sh'Just the Two of Us

I am always thankful for visitors; this Shabbat I was thankful for no visitors.  It was so nice enjoying Shabbat and the rest of the weekend with just my little family.

As I mentioned in a previous post, Wednesday night Brian and I went to pub quiz night with NextGen, the 20s and 30s group at Congregation Ner Tamid.  I enjoyed our time with Brian's friend from BBYO that lives here, but we didn't really meet anyone besides his girlfriend.  It was an interesting evening, and I think getting there a little earlier next time will go a long way.  We're definitely up for trying again!

On Friday, we went to services at Ner Tamid and filled out the paperwork to join the temple.  Everyone there was so friendly and welcoming, and we're super excited about joining and meeting new people.  There's a new/prospective member Sh'BBQ in a couple of weeks that I think we'll be sure to attend.  I also plan on hitting the young couples up for suggestions for pediatricians and infant care!  It was just a really good night with enjoyable services, a great young rabbi with lots of connections to me and Brian (she grew up in Phoenix, but went to GFC for camp!), and a handful of really friendly people who seemed to be about our age.  There were a lot of really friendly old people too, and every single one of them seemed to know for sure whether Obi is a boy or a girl!

We finished out Shabbat with a trip to a new dog park- complete with doggie splash pad!- cleaning/unpacking the last of the boxes out of the baby's room, and a really delicious dinner.

I also got an email that says my Master's degree will officially be awarded on August 8th.  FINALLY!!

Such a great low-key day!

Shabbat Nap

Oh Darius, why must your Las Vegas concert be scheduled for October 11th? I am pretty sure that date isn't going to work for me :~/

29 Weeks

Our day started off a little discombobulated- Brian spent some of the night on the couch when Johnny wouldn't stop barking at like 2:00am (UGH) and didn't wake up until I woke him about 15 minutes after he was supposed to be at work.  Next thing I knew he was out the door, and then back because he forgot some stuff.  Poor Brian!  Good timing for me though; Brian was able to take Johnny to doggie daycare on his way to work the second time.  Johnny will (hopefully) be nice and tired tonight and we'll be able to go enjoy pub night (more on that later) without worrying about him being home alone so late at night!

I spent the morning running errands and then met Brian for my first OB appointment in Las Vegas.  Obi looks great- s/he has a healthy and still extremely fast heartbeat, and is head down at this point!  The doctor answered all my questions about delivering here in Las Vegas and I even scheduled the rest of my appointments.  WHOA!  This was my last monthly appointment so my next one is in two weeks!  I'm pretty excited that my mom will be in town for that one.

I had a really hard time in Phoenix finding an OBGYN practice where I liked, felt comfortable with, and trusted the doctors.  It's not that I don't like or feel comfortable or trust the doctors here, I think I am just really emotional/vulnerable right now so it was a bit of a challenging appointment on that front.  I loved the practice I went to in Phoenix, so it's just hard changing at such a pivotal time.  I know that if this doesn't pan out I can always look for another doctor later, but I think it will work out very nicely for the care of Obi.

29 Weeks

So I've been really nervous that whatever the royal baby's name ended up being was going to be on our short list and I was going to have to really consider whether I still wanted that name.  Just in case you were wondering, George Alexander Louis is not on our list.

I was going to take advantage of Johnny being gone to get some cleaning done, but I don't feel like it, so I'm off to lay down on the couch instead :~)

Doggie District

Johnny enjoyed his first day at his new doggie daycare on Friday (so did I, especially after the destruction of my work bag the night before).  So did the people at the Doggie District.  In fact, after calling Johnny a "social butterfly", they practically begged him to come back soon.  Who doesn't love a sweet puppy who wears out all the other dogs?

And what dog owner doesn't love it when her own sweet puppy is worn out?

Aunt Sara Comes to Las Vegas!

I got home a bit late from work on Wednesday, but guess whose smiling face was here to greet me??  Sara!  She had a math conference in Las Vegas at the beginning of the week and was able to extend her trip for a few days.  I was so happy!

Thursday we did some girly stuff- getting a pedicure, running errands, lunch with Brian.  After a delicious dinner of homemade eggrolls (who know they were so easy?!) we went to see Grownups 2.  I think the first one is just so hilarious.  This one did not disappoint on the humor scale, but it wasn't nearly as great at the first.

We also had our first china casualty that night, as well as a close call with one of our glasses (come on Sara, you couldn't have broken the SCSU glass instead of the plate?!).  Thank goodness next time she comes to visit we'll have plastic baby plates in the house ;~)

Friday we spent the day running some more errands (thanks for doing that with me!) and then got ready for what was going to be a fun night on Fremont Street, the original Las Vegas strip.  The great outdoors, however, had other plans for us.  As soon as we started our drive, we could see showers around the valley, as well as the ominous haboob wall.  Fremont Street was smack in the middle of the dust storm and when we saw lawn chairs flying we decided we probably would be smart to just stay in the car and enjoy the evening elsewhere.  We found a delicious little hamburger place near UNLV and as soon as we drove into the parking lot the power went out.  Dinner strike two- and we were hungry.  Thank goodness for emergency power and chocolate milkshakes.  The restaurant was delicious and we made it home without driving through water higher than... halfway up the tires.

Saturday the weather allowed us to get out of the house for a bit before heading to the airport.  We spent some time in the mini-indoor garden at the Bellagio and enjoyed the fountains.  It's so beautiful there and crazy to think that it's basically in my backyard!

Thanks for coming to visit, Sara, and thanks BYDS for the trip!  Obi and Johnny enjoyed their time with you as did Brian and I.  We can't wait to see you again when your aunt-status becomes official!

Sara and Johnny becoming best friends

Auntie Sara

My favorite people in the Bellagio garden

"Water works before I have to leave"- Sara

T-12 Weeks

How is it that I am working less than a quarter of the hours I was working in Phoenix, yet life seems crazier and busier than ever?

BABY-

28 Weeks

I need to find a better spot in my new house for weekly pictures, even though there aren't that many left!  Things have been going well with Obi over the last week.  I had my glucose screen late last week and it all came back normal (Phew!  I can make more of those delicious brownies!), but the doctors did say my iron levels are low.  Just add another supplement to the nightly regimen and I should be good to go!  I have my first follow-up appointment next Wednesday, and I am very anxious to meet my new doctor.  Just keep drinking, just keep peeing, just keep enjoying the movement, and sleep while I can - that's my game plan right now!

LAS VEGAS-
Oh man, I don't even know where to start with telling you about our new lives over this past week.

Last Thursday I met with a family that I got connected with via SARRC, and worked out a schedule to work with one of their children for 12 hours/week.  I started on Monday and it's been a great experience so far.  The family is really nice, and the child is such a smart, sweet boy.  I'm looking forward to getting over the "get-to-know-you" phase and working on more goals.

On Friday I met with another SARRC connection, a BCBA here in Las Vegas.  While nothing specific came out of the meeting (other than some great tips on meeting people while pregnant and new here), we will definitely be keeping in touch, and as her company grows it may be something for me to look in to.

This past weekend, Brian's parents came to visit.  It's definitely different hosting them rather than going out of town for a weekend with them, but it's something we'll all have to get used to!  We had a nice Shabbat dinner, checked out the Mob Museum on Saturday afternoon, and had a great brunch buffet on Sunday morning (seriously: brunch + buffet = 2 of my favorite things!).  We'll see you again soon!

Tuesday I met up with a new friend of a friend.  Once I finally made it there (long story for another time), I really enjoyed myself!  It was good company, good food, and I learned a lot about other parts of Las Vegas on my journey (aka drive) there.  I am looking forward to meeting up with her again soon!

Wednesday (I told you I've been busy!) I met up with a moms' group that I found on meetup.com.  It was so out of my comfort zone in so many ways, but I think I will push myself to join them at more events.  There were about 6 other moms there, and they meet up twice a week or so.  I think with more opportunities to hang out, they are good potential friends to have!

Now, Sara's here!!  Shout out to Sara on her 25th and a half birthday today!  Love you Sarar; I promise to write a blog post all about our time together once you leave :~)

JOHNNY-
Such a good boy, even though I am pretty sure he didn't sleep last night.  We checked out a new dog park earlier this week, and I'm hoping to make it out to another one this weekend.  Also on the agenda, introducing Johnny to Doggie Depot so that we can both have a much needed reprieve from each other.

Also in Johnny news, against every thing I ever said about dogs and humans, Johnny is now allowed on couches and beds.  It started while Brian was gone and I discovered how much better Johnny and I got along when I wasn't always telling him to get off the furniture.  Well, the trend continued and I really think that's why he's been so well-behaved here.  He chills on the furniture, using whatever he can find as a pillow (see below) and is a happy, calm dog.  A happy, calm dog = a happy, calm Dana.  It works (Mom, get over it).

Using Obi as a pillow

Sweet Dreams

Helloooo Third Trimester

While the actual start of the third trimester is up for debate (Start of Week 27?  End of Week 27?  If I'm 27 weeks today, doesn't that mean I've finished 27 weeks anyways?), I'll consider myself there!  Whoa, that went fast!

27 Weeks- only 13 more to go!

Side note, does anyone know why some of my pictures are all stretched?  I thought it was when I edited them on my phone, but this one is unedited, and while my belly might be that big, I don't think my face is quite that wide... Or maybe it is :~/

How I spent day 1 of my third trimester:

Took my car to Honda to get some airbags fixed.  Get to drive this for the next few days:

2013 Nissan Pickup Truck- Going back to my Texas roots

Ran some errands, got the washing machine fixed, HAD LUNCH WITH BRIAN, made these delicious things:

Zucchini Brownies

Just what a girl needs days before her Glucose Screen.

I also got to talk to this wonderful bride-to-be who asked me to be the Matron of Honor in her wedding:

Me and Sara, circa 2004.  Have we changed at all?!

There are no words to describe my happiness for Sara and Joe when I heard about their engagement in SPAIN (be jealous).  They are both such wonderful people and deserve only the best, which is why it's so perfect that they found each other!  Best wishes, old friend!

My feet have been up for a while, and I'm all blogged and pinterested out, so it's back to unpacking.  Pictures when I'm done, I promise!

Last Day

Sitting inside a mostly empty house while Brian and some friends are in the garage packing/cleaning the last little bit. No tv, books, or computer so it seems like as good of a time to reminisce as any.

Brian bought this house after we had been dating only four months, so I had very little say in it, and I was not a part of the buying process at all. He worked so hard to buy it, and I remember how proud of him I was! It definitely took me a while to love it after I moved in- the house was so big and there was so much I wanted to do, but it was hard to do anything without money. Little-by-little, and especially after our wedding, the house started to feel like home.

Oh the plans I had for a nursery! And the plans Brian had for the backyard! As soon as he finished school and started working again we were going to move forward, and we were going to raise our family here.

Much like the rest of our time together, things didn't go quite as planned. But we've gotten pretty good at handling these surprises and changes like champs. We've learned to find the good. 

We're lucky- We are going to raise a family and Las Vegas is a really nice place to do that. We have a really great rental house. Brian has a job that he loves, and I'm making connections and finding work.  We are excited about moving up (north) and out. Lots of opportunities to look forward to!

I hope that the next people who live here (PLEASE, someone buy our house) have or start a family and enjoy the house like we did and wanted to. I hope they appreciate the built-in shelves Brian put together, and I hope they have a pool table. I even hope they have a dog! Mostly, I hope they're happy here.

We'll be back and drive our kids down the street one day and talk about all the memories we have. 

Catch ya later, Barwick. It's been real. 

26 Weeks

How Far Along?  26 weeks

Size of Baby?  Head of lettuce. I don't really get it, but that's what my email said

Weight Gain? Never ever seen numbers like this before

Sleep? Waking up through the night, but falling back to sleep quickly

What I Miss?  Sleeping on my back/ stomach

Symptoms? Icky skin, but if that's the worst I can't complain; some leg cramps; hello Braxton Hicks!; baby moving all the time

Belly Button? It popped like 8 weeks ago. Ridiculous!

Best Moment of the Week? Brian is home! Together again!

26 Weeks

#pregnancyproblems

Believe It!

It's July!  Can you believe it?!  Life is moving fast, and it's about to change- a lot.  This is the week of endings, and beginnings.  Semisonic knew what they were talking about...

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end"

Work is ending and then we finish packing up and we're off to Las Vegas, together.  Right now, I'm most excited about the together part!

Had my last OB appointment in Phoenix today.  Everything looks good; I just need to keep drinking (water) and keep peeing and Obi will be happy.  New belly bump picture coming Wednesday!

Gotta go finish some laundry and editing a few reports.  I just wanted to say hi and GO D'BACKS!