My apologies, Mama Nature

I tried to keep up with the dutiful task of acknowledging Earth Week last week and by the fourth day, exhaustion kicked in.  I do not feel guilty because I know my education will continue.  Matter-of-fact, I feel well rested....for a pregnant woman.  THAT'S RIGHT!  I AM STILL PREGNANT!  While I didn't take the greatest care of Mother Nature, I did take care of Mother Kristina

   I CONSERVED my energy

   I watched RECYCLED episodes of the Hills

   I REUSED food from previous dinners and ate leftovers

   I SAVED gas and electricity by turning off all of the lights and not going anywhere

   I REDUCED the amount of time I was awake

I mean this counts for something, right?  After all, I have been taking on too much for a belly this size.  Rest was needed and I fully accepted.  Thankfully, Tyson was my knight in shining armor.   He made sure my bowl of Cherrios with bananas was full and my glass of water was by my side.  AND........HE CLEANED! 

And so we wait for Maxon's arrival............

Bring it on

Advice is free and comes frequent when your are sporting a belly the size of a large basketball. Whether wanted or unwelcome, passing by or at a coffee date, people (men and women) love to disclose their techniques of how to change a baby's diaper, the best holding position to nurse and when is the best time to introduce solid foods. And while I appreciate it all, I am taken aback to just how different the advice can be.


I am fascinated by everyone's story. I do not take anyone's experience as I solution for my own pregnancy and labor, but I do enjoy listening to how people dealt with their troubles. For instance, what was the best position for contractions? How did the epidural feel? How long was active labor? Was there a tear? And the funny thing is...not one person has the same answer. I am desperately hoping, in having great mama friends, that there will be an average, for lack of a better word, that I can use. Like 4 women experienced one way and three experienced another technique so I will utilize the middle of the road option. Not so much......everyone is different.......

And I should know this already. Many women said that they worst part of pregnancy was the nausea, the back pains, the swollen feet, the last month. None of these applied to me. I am a walking advertisement for a perfect pregnancy.

PREGNANCY IS A WONDERFUL, EASY, TRULY FASCINATING EXPERIENCE!!!

But that is just my story and I cannot count on the guarantee that the next woman will have the same idea.

The reason for this realization? Because I have discovered in my impatient daily routine of cleaning, checking and re-checking my hospital bag, and my walks, that I am ready for MY baby. I have questioned, poked and pondered all of my friends brains and I think I am as prepared as I possibly can be. I am completely okay with the idea of having contractions that will make me want to murder Tyson and I am also satisfied with the 20+ hour labor that will be followed by several hours of pushing, as well as the sleepless nights caused by a screaming baby. I am okay with it all because with my horrific pains and trying times, it will be my story to tell. I will own the details, make mistakes and learn something new. And who knows, I just might have the best labor ever..........

Nothing!

No contractions.

No dilating.

No dropping.


No effacement.


No action.


At our weekly appointment, Maxon is as boring as ever......


BUT I  made sour cream cookies!

Sour Cream Cookies

1/2 cup butter

1 egg

1 cup sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp vanilla

2 2/3 cup flour

1/2 cup sour cream

PREHEAT oven 400 degrees F

Everything goes into a mixing bowl

MIX                                                                                                   

ROLL out onto a floured space

CUT OUT with chosen cookie cutters

BAKE for 8-10 minutes

FROST when cooled

Simple Frosting:  I do NOT use measurements for this. Just feel it out.  I use powered sugar, a small bit of butter and milk.  Milk is used sparingly....just add until you get the thick consistency you want.  A little goes a long way.

The Wait

April has finally arrived and I couldn't have anticipated the anxiety and lack of patience I have.  The hours creep by and the days seem to pass like months.  I have to admit that I am too prepared and too eager to go into labor, but all I want is to have Maxon in our home, in our arms and our life. There is still plenty for me to do, but I am discouraged by my "to-do" list because I fear that if I complete it, I will be left with three weeks of nothing to do, but to dwell on when I will feel my first contraction.

I was hoping that on my appointment last Monday that they would tell me that I was dilated....even at 1 cm, but to our disappointment, Maxon was snug in my belly, not wanting to go anywhere, anytime soon.  My Braxton Hicks are not even that strong for me to assume that they are actual contraction pains.  They feel like a weak onset of period cramps and go away after awhile.  Max is still active and seems pretty comfortable with where his is at and I am beginning to see just how similar is his to his father (likes to be cozy and comfortable) and like his mother (stubborn and planned).  Will Max arrive early like all of his other friends did?  Probably not.  If he is any child of Tyson and I, he will  make an entrance like no other.....let's hope that it isn't in the middle of a Target aisle, like my dreams have suggested.

Are we there yet?

Max's closet. Some of his clothes, but many more that still needs to be.

The start of his shelves. We have yet to REALLY organize it

We haven't set everything where we would like it (still waiting for the crib), but we are slowly putting it together. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE his changing table!

Tyson surprised me with flowers....my romantic, handsome, thoughtful husband

Month 7!!!

It is not that I am tired of being pregnant or tired of carrying the extra load....it is just that I am tired.

In my fast paced 7 month pregnancy, my life has been anything but boring. I like it this because for one-makes the time go by really fast, and two-there is so much to freaking do! This week has been another whirlwind of events and as I sit here typing away, I am officially exhausted! With keeping up with decorating our new home, we are also planning (and shopping) for Max's nursery. I finally got around to buying the baskets for his changing table as well as updated the registry with the car seat, bottles, pacifiers, and jogging stroller (the highly desired BOB stroller that I have found to be PERFECT for Tyson and I). While my intention for Monday night was to begin another round of prenatal yoga, I realized that with EVERYTHING I do, I needed permission from my midwife (which I was without). So instead, I hung out at home, devoured pizza and enjoyed family time. Tuesday was another indulgent day with a prenatal massage and lunch with a friend. In the evening Tyson and I went to our second of three baby classes, the breastfeeding class. We learned about latching on, different holds, and storage information. Being that this is our first time, we learned A LOT!

As the week continues, so does our fun life. Tyson has been enjoying our new location across the street from Mission Trails. He and Sonny have gone on many adventurous hikes and runs (I go on the "safer", flat hikes) and have taken advantage of the beautiful San Diego days. He is also loving his new tennis workout with our friend Mitch. The weather has been chilly, yet clear so this is perfect for playing outside. Meanwhile, I have my green thumb back and have began planning for my garden. I am starting to plant some herbs, potatoes, lettuce and radishes, as well as maintaining my eggplant, bell peppers, and jalapenos. I am also cooking up a storm (just finished a lemon meringue pie!) and have SLOWLY stepped back into my photography. This week also marks the second week for my online courses. Oh and I am trying to learn to read crochet patterns! And plan my baby shower! And plan a Superbowl get together! And prep for the Feb. 14 beer dinner! PHEW! It seems like a lot, but really, I take it slow and enjoy everything that I am doing because really, I am doing this ALL for Max and our little family. I love doing it all and with it ALL, I still find time to take my naps.....and trust me, Tyson makes me!

Next week, I start my "kick card." This is where I will record how long it takes for Max to move 10 times. If it takes longer than 2 hours, then there is a reason for concern and I have to call my doctor to be checked out. I know that it will take 2 minutes for him to move 10 times when he is active. When he isn't sleeping, he is moving around A LOT. I can now feel his little body parts when he kicks and turns. He seems to be lying horizontal because I can feel his head or back on my right side (his favorite side) and kicks on my left. He should be turning into position soon so the kicks will be directed right at my ribs (FUN). We are also looking forward to seeing him in the 4D ultrasound this Saturday. We are constantly wondering what he looks like and whose features he will take on, so with this detailed ultrasound, hopefully we will get a better idea. We cannot wait!

I still have some assignments to complete and a little bit of kitchen clean up before bed so I am off to get that done before my beauty sleep. So much to look forward to, I don't know how I will be able to sleep!