More Evidence of Male Nesting

The retaining wall turned out great! Paul worked very hard on it, and
only needs to install a gutter extension and some mulch to "place a
bow" on this finished project.

Evidence of Male Nesting

This is one of many projects Paul has completed over the past couple
weeks. He has now started on a retaining wall for the garden, and has
made at least 3 trips to Goodwill. More "evidence" will be posted later.

Anybody want to start a pool for a due date?

Paul and I went to the doctor today for a check up and ultrasound, and we may be seeing Addison earlier than we think! I'm measuring at 37 weeks and 3 days which now estimates the delivery date to be around August 7th instead of August 14th. I think it would be awesome for her to be born on 8-8-08! She was also estimated to be a chunky 7.5 pounds already. (Which is a little scary). The ultrasound showed her curled up head down on my left side. The ultrasound tech had difficulty getting a really good picture of her face because she kept burrowing it... and boy, can I feel it. She must enjoy hanging out on my left side because my belly is definitely lopsided and my left ankle and foot are swollen much more than my right. Paul will scan the ultrasound pictures and we will try to get them uploaded soon! My doctor said I was almost 1 cm dilated and 75% effaced... so all of this is an estimate. We will see what happens!

Most of you already know, but for those of you who don't... Paul will be starting a new job at Dell on August 4th. So, we are hoping that Addison will come after the 4th so that we can be on his new benefits. If not, that's ok, she'll come when she does and I think we are as ready as any first time parents can be... or we think we are... :) Paul has had a few weeks off before he starts his new job and has been doing a lot around the house. I think he is "nesting" more than I am! He has made his own "to do" list and is tearing through it with gusto! As of right now... our entire closet is in our living room because he is putting in closet organizers. It's been great to have this time with him before the baby comes.

Addison's Nursery

It's done! Paul painted, we moved everything around, and recieved
lots of help. We are very thankful to have all of the furniture in
Addison's nursery donated to us from family and friends! We are so
overwhelmed by all of the support, thank you.

Dresser and changing table

This dresser is actually a buffet table from my grandmother's home
several years ago. My mom gave us it with the China cabinet. Since we
don't have a formal dining room the two pieces fit perfectly in
Addison's room! The changing table goes along with the crib donated by
my cousins, Nicole and Greg!

The tree on the wall is a wall sticker from IKEA. I love it! IKEA is the bomb!

Bookshelf and Glider

This bookshelf is actually a China cabinet that was my grandmother's.
It goes with the buffet table but works perfectly! My friend Christy
gave us her glider chair... It made her sea sick... I'm sorry Christy
got sick, but we appreciate the chair!! I love gliding in it already!

Addison's crib

My cousins Nicole and Greg were very generous and gave us their
daughter's crib, changing table, and bedding... Among several other
baby items. Thank you guys, we are so grateful for all the donations!
Addison's crib turned out great.

Babycakes

Shower pics

Mobile blogging baby

Paul here...

Mandy just set up my new iPhone for mobile blogging so I can give
realtime updates on "the big day."

This weekend we had our baby shower and Cyndi and Kelly did a great
job setting it up. It was fun to see all of our friends too.

I can't wait to meet our new baby...it's almost time!

Baby Shower

Paul and I are so thankful for all our family and friends, and we feel so loved! Cyndi and Kelly put together a wonderful baby shower for Paul and me this weekend. We had a great time, and I was blown away by all the thought and time put into the shower. I think Addison may be completely spoiled by her Aunts and grandparents!

Here are some pictures.

Cyndi helping to decorate before the shower.

Phil helps to decorate before the shower... he had some great backspin on the streamer paper!

Kelly and Tracy pose for a picture:


Cyndi and Kelly had everyone decorate bibs, onesies and burp rags for little Addison. They were SO cute and came out great!
Mike and Laura designed an awesome super baby bib!

Trae, Cyndi, Mary, and Mom decorating for Addison.


Doug designs Addison's baby super hero onesie.


I thought this one was awesome! LHB = Longhorn Band


Deb and Elana with their daughters.

Eddie and Jessica will be having a baby in about 2 weeks... or sooner! Good luck guys!


It's Grandma Gay (GG)!

Mary will be called Nana.
Paul tastes some baby food for the baby food tasting game! Yummmm... carrots.

Yes Paul, you will be the diaper champ!

This is a rare before and after pregnancy picture all in one picture! How'd they do that?!




Eric and Sonia pose for a picture, thanks for coming ya'll!


I have my next doctor's appointment on the 15th. My doctor said that from now on I will be seeing him once a week until Addison is born! I think I may be getting a sonogram in a couple of weeks as well. It's very exciting!

Almost 34 Weeks

Feet are swelling,
Waddling and sore,
Eyes are welling,
6 weeks more!

I've been pretty sore this last week and a half. I've had shooting pains in my left thigh and groin. It's been pretty difficult to even walk sometimes. Hopefully, the baby is just sitting on a nerve or something. I definitely have to waddle to get around and then I stop about every 4 steps to yelp "ouch!" or "ohhh!". It's pretty frustrating, especially when all I want to do is get the house ready and I can barely get to the bathroom every 45 minutes.

I had a doctor's appointment today and he basically said to take Tylenol and stay off your feet. The Tylenol helps a little, I just hope it gets better and not worse. At the appointment my doctor measured me at exactly 34 weeks! Addison has a strong heartbeat, it was up to 160 today! Her head is down and she is hanging out on my left side. She kicks mostly at night when I lay down, and about 10:30 in the morning. Paul can definitely feel her moving around, and it's not just a kick here or there anymore... she's doing kung fu! The nursery is coming together and I'm pretty excited about how it looks. When it's completely finished I will post pictures!

In the mean time.. here is the latest belly picture:

A picture from my point of view... look ma, no feet!