A girl & her harmonica

One of our friends from church, actually my co-worker's husband, gave me a harmonica the other day - for Julia I assumed! : ) We're not into gifts for Christmas anymore & we'd done some of her birthday gifts over the last few weeks (from Uncles Mike & Chad, from Grandma Bonnie, from us). Also she'd gotten her Christmas/birthday gifts from Angel & Dawn last weekend plus the NEW bed so I didn't want to make a big deal about another present. I had a small stocking from gift from A&D so I put the harmonica in it, 1 to hide it from sight, 2 to be able to present the "gift" on Christmas. When I gave it Julia, she was so excited & curious. Jai showed her how to use it, basic instructions, then she played it for hours (it seems like it!). However, it wasn't annoying, it's adorable! Julia is actually quite good. Then today she picks it up again & starts playing some more. It's hilarious yet it sounds really good! She has my beauty & Jai's musical ear. Well, I played the flute in school band for 7 years so I contributed some talent, too. : )

A big girl bed arrives in time for Christmas

It was delivered this morning! So exciting! I think I'm more excited than anyone. I don't know why, but it seems so great! Julia has a twin sized bed with mattress, foundation, 2 sheets, 2 pillows & a comforter. : )

We ordered it 3 weeks ago from Nature's Greenlife (http://www.naturesgreenlife.com/) after some deliberation, looking on the Internet, & eventually met with Debby at the store/studio to see some of the merchandise. Then there was more deliberation/changes as we originally selected a full size organic cotton mattress as we have a full frame. However, we decided the nursery is too small a space for that & we will have 2 children so twin beds make more sense. Since we're spending a bit of money for this purchase, really important investment, we wanted it to be right. We changed to a twin sized organic wool mattress/foundation which is better for dust mites & allergies.  It also meant it took more time as it was being custom built & coming from Canada.

We weren't sure if we'd get it before Christmas & we really wanted it sooner than later anyway so Julia could get used to it with plenty of time before baby arrives. Luckily Debby liked us a lot & checked in with the company frequently & got it expedited through customs (I didn't think about that!) to be here today. Also her husband helped bring it to us AND inside the house & upstairs to the room AND helped Jai (and Julia too) set it up. Apparently he doesn't usually do that. How nice! They are really nice & I've already referred 2 friends to their website, 1 with a baby on the way, 1 with a 3 year old to get a big bed.

After we changed bed sizes, we had the dilemma of finding a new frame. Initially I was disappointed as that meant MORE money, but thankfully Jai is quite savvy in the world of Freecycle & Craig's List.  He posted a request on Freecycle & almost before I could blink, someone responded with info that they had TWO matching wood frames (what we wanted). The person had been about to take them to Salvation Army. She sent photos & they looked awesome! We said we wanted them & arranged the pick up/delivery. Then she said she'd bring them to us & she didn't even live close to us, I think Jai said Antioch. Amazing! I guess she was motivated to get them out of her garage. : ) Now we have a second frame for the second kid, to use in 2 years. Woo hoo!

We made the bed with her new jersey knit organic cotton sheets (so soft!), a fitted sheet AND a flat sheet. So grown up! Also finally used the Dora comforter I bought at a consignment sale in November. Julia loves Dora & Boots! She actually has had the pillow since late November when we placed the order (Debby gave us a "free" wool pillow). The wool is good for resistance against dust mites as well as good for hot sleepers which Julia (and Jai) is. I got a 2nd wool pillow from Gaiam (having a great sale!), mainly for us to use when we're in the bed, reading at bedtime.

Oh, I wish we'd done this MONTHS ago! It's been so uncomfortable on the floor, especially as I got bigger & bigger. I don't have bedtime duty until Sunday, but it will be so NICE to sit on that bed & read with Julia. We took a few photos to capture the moment as Julia got ready for bed this evening. FUN!!! : )

36 week visit

Today was a day filled with lots of pregnancy related activities. My friend, Jessie, & I are due 3 weeks apart & since it is Winter Break, we decided to get together for some pregnancy time.

First we went to the La Leche League meeting in East Nashville that meets on the third Wednesday mornings which usually we cannot attend, but this one was perfect timing. It was great to see some familiar faces, women who were very helpful & supportive when Julia was small & we were struggling to get breastfeeding to work. I really enjoyed listening & sharing experiences & feeling so comfortable & confident about this next adventure in parenting a baby. Jai had a dentist appointment & regular play date wasn't happening because Sam was sick so I had Julia with me. Actually I'm glad she was there to be around the babies & see breastfeeding. I'm sure she's going to be so curious when her baby is eating. She already talks about feeding the baby & we explain that won't happen for awhile. Julia played well on the rug with the plethora of toys & books available; she insisted that I come with her which I did awkwardly. : ) There was another mom & young baby on the floor too; the baby was 6 months old. Julia kept saying "No" to him & "He's taking my toys" which is not what he was doing. Mostly he was smiling & giggling at her, saying hello in his way. I anticipate some interesting struggles with possessiveness for belongings & parents.

We dropped off Julia at home for her lunch & nap with Jai home now. Then we headed to the West End area & grabbed some lunch & talked about our various pregnancy ailments. I will be SO grateful to not have this vicious heartburn/indigestion. It's awful! I feel like it's worse than last time & definitely lasted longer! Jessie fortunately hasn't had any issues with HB. We talked about the different kind of stomach acid that exists for us as we're different blood types. Interestingly I don't have issues when I'm not pregnant. Lunch was yummy, this place called Taiziki's, I'd never been there. I had a lamb gyro with rice & tomato/cucumber/feta salad. Hmmm!

After lunch we headed to A Mother's Place which is at Centennial Women's Hospital. We really were stretched for time & should have gone after our midwife appointments. I naively thought we'd be able to manage, but traffic was crazy at this time of day. We were late, but it was OK. Anyway, AMP is a lactation support center that includes a shop to purchase items related to breastfeeding. I went there a few times when Julia was 2-3 months old to get assistance with her weight gain issues & increasing my milk supply. The staff is wonderful, same woman who helped me is still there, so passionate & supportive of making breastfeeding work. It was great to see her. We got measured to find out what size nursing bra we need. We tried on a few styles & purchased some. I only got 1 as I have a few at home & since I'm smaller in general, the consultant reminded me that I'll get much bigger once my milk comes in postpartum. I remember that!! : )

Then to West End Women's Health Center for midwife appointment. I gained a few pounds in 4 weeks, but I've eaten more sweets & junk in last 2 weeks. UGH! The season of eating! I asked the midwife about cutting the cord after it stops pulsing - I got an explanation of the 2 minutes rule. Not sure I completely understand. I also asked about placenta encapsulate (supposed to help with postpartum depression). I heard about these 2 items at LLL meeting so I'm curious to find out more information. Thank goodness for the Internet.

My blood pressure was low again so excellent. Baby's heartbeat was much higher. This gender stuff is confusing! Who knows until she or he is born. Julia continues to refer to having a baby brother. Everyone says I'm carrying like it's a boy. However, we shall see when the time arrives.

Now I will go every week until delivery & I had already made all of my appointments (surprise, surprise!) so until next week.

The roof, the roof is on ... New Roof is ON!

After many months of waiting, first because of the hot summer, then roofers' busy schedule, it was inclement weather whenever it seemed to be our time, that seemed to delay us getting a new roof. However, finally it happened & it's so pretty. It came with quite a price tag (thank goodness for an equity line), but it looks beautiful. Jai picked out the slates as that is one thing I didn't care about nor have the energy. He did a great job - sometimes he's really good at the aesthetics stuff. He's been called a metro sexual (not sure if that term is used anymore) a few times.

Jai says we shouldn't need another roof until the kids are in college or maybe out of college. That will be nice! The next project will be to paint the water stains caused by the old roof (this has been years actually). However, that will be for later in 2012 or 2013 as we'll be busy with the baby.

Julia's 3rd Birthday

We celebrated with a family dinner with Grandma Bonnie & Poppy. Then we ate her traditional applesauce cake made by mom, & ice cream, Julia's new favorite (quick 2nd is Popsicles, but I need to make more). Also she opened a few presents which she really enjoyed this year!

What a great kid Julia is! Thanks for 3 wonderful years of fun & laughter! Looking forward to many more!