Who's in charge here?!

I've done it. It looks like little Bho is an independent thinker already. I guess my wish of having a strong girl who can make her own decisions is coming true! It is all starting with her desire to choose her birth day. Well, the doctor told me today that things are definitely progressing but she must really like it in there cause she needs to start the inducing procedure this Saturday.

Just so you know, I will be hanging out at St. John's Hospital all weekend. Lots of fun to see sick people complaining all around me, aRGh! I have three appt's scheduled over the two days and my doctor expects Bho to arrive on Monday, the 10th. So, whomever bet the 10th was the date - you're on the same wavelength as my OB.

Oh, and for those of you who know I am stressing about taking my law finals. I am going to get my Civil Pro exam over with on Friday at noon. I'm so pumped that they're allowing me to do it early. This is the delight of a small school, I suppose. It took a whole 30 min's to figure out the details. The other exams will just have to be delayed a bit. I'm happy because it just didn't feel right to study criminal behavior/law while feeling overly hormonal.

Speaking of hormonal, isn't this the cutest little baby otter? I bet Bho has a slight resemblance (minus the fur). I hope Indie likes water creature-looking babies.

Kewwwwt...

Thank you to the grandpas for putting the crib together! Thank you granny Williams (she wants to be called that folks...) for the beautiful bedding! Thank you Craig for putting the bookshelf together, wall decal on the wall, and blinds on the windows! Thank you Bwie for Rody!

Now, I sit and wait to thank Bho for giving me the easiest labor (aka, eruption) this week. Here is a preview of one side of the room. It's a bit bare - before we moved in the chair, lamp, books, and junk...
We don't plan on leaving Bho's daddy ear in the lower right corner. That was put there for pure effect.

Happy Friday!

Let the good times roll. Today is my first day of maternity leave. Unfortunately, it is quarter-end at work (sorry to my lovely coworkers) and my doctor thinks that stress will make my blood pressure boil overcooking the Bho. My opinion is if that means it will make Bho "erupt" then let's go for it! However, being that I have caught some funky virus (thank you Craig & the flu shot) along with feeling major preggers - I'm home with the Boo, enjoying her company... starting today!

I also had a dr. appt this morning; she said she did some sort of stripping, it wasn't good for me... but to each their own. She actually "stripped membranes," which I suppose helps to move things along. The rest was good news, she won't let me go over one week from the official due date of December 3rd (total BS, imo, since it was once 11/28 then 12/01) but she is the MD. I'm going back next Wednesday to have some lovely cream induction, if nothing has "erupted" yet. Too much information, I'm sure...

Anyways, today will consist of preparing for study group tomorrow and Sunday. Craig
is researching improper children's books - what a father figure! Here is a great one that we will teach Bho to read from the womb:

No pushing Bho off the diving board!

This both creeps me out and makes me teary-eyed.

This only confirms the fact that Bho will be a swimmer from day one. Okay, probably day 60 or 70, but for realz, watch this video and you'll understand why...

Love connection!

Nothing like an entertaining pregnant-girl photo shoot with a naked "Mother and Child" by Gustav Klimt in the background.

Belly touching belly = love connection for Bho & Bwi.

Check, Check, four more to go

Okay, I'm working hard on checking off items from my countdown (see Oct 15th). The first two are done, four more to go...

Here is proof of #1: the thrilling baby shower. If you weren't there, you missed the spiked punch, strippers, and free money.

As a cover, Bho's granny took a few pics of the more innocent moments. If you want to see the "real action," shoot me a message and I'll forward you the other pics. *wink, wink*

Bho's first swimsuit. I imagine her posing like Cindy Crawford in this one...

Quilting action. If you notice, Shannon next to me had just finished doing about 5 shots and the limbo, so she was taking a break.

Here is proof of #2: baby classes are over! As you can see below, I look more intelligent (I know how to deliver a baby effortlessly, how NOT to shake a baby, and how to install about 50 varieties of carseats). Ohhhh, this picture also shows that I'm close to fulfilling the ever-important #5: producing Bho for the good of the world.

Damn, I'm getting to be a biggy while poor lil Bho looks to have a pinhead causing my belly to stick straight out. Better start preparing your lies, "ooooh, Bho is so errr, umm, unique" and "ooooh, she looks so smart."

Prediction: Hardcore Feminist Bho!

Is it because I know Bho is a girl that I've been "overly feminist" lately (whatever that means...)? Or is it because I'm selfish and feel the need to be treated equally? I'm guessing my parents would probably say it's the latter (newsflash: I am selfish). Hmmmm, but let's not go there - it really doesn't matter.

What does matter is that my little Bho has the chance to do whatever the hell she wants when she grows up. This has been of concern to me lately. If Bho ends up dating boys, she does not have to be stuck doing the laundry or vacuuming because Bwi, or any other similarly aged B's, is too busy watching a game or staying late at work "bringing home the bacon." When a home improvement project is needed like installing a ceiling fan, it'd be nice if she was capable of throwing it up in her spare time. Of course, after she gets back from winning Wimbledon, doctoring children in Africa, and walking down the catwalk in Paris.

Today, as I was perusing The Consumerist, I saw this article about a new spin-off of Home Depot called Her Depot. To me, this is the ultimate embarrassment. Why-oh-why, do we need a specific home improvement store geared towards women? Do they feel it that Home Depot stores are too "manly" or "construction-oriented?" Do women really find it difficult to pick out a nail size or light fixture without drinking an espresso or surrounded by floral-papered walls?

Image by Dean Terry.

I'm sorry, but who thought of this? If a lone female in Home Depot's Corporate Headquarters is getting rich off of an idea to put fabric softener and detergent next to the washing machines/dryers in this store... good for her, but our society is doomed. What a waste.

Personally, I like to feel dirty. I like to help with construction projects. I actually like to garden (not sissy gardening either, I like to dig holes and plant things). Bottomline, I like Menards. Although, as I write their name - it makes me think.

My house rocks!

Yo dudes,

Thanks for the comments! I feel much happier now, which is a good thing for a pregnant chick. Although, I am a little offended that many of you think I look the same as I did before I gained 20 lbs. Hmph!

Okay, dum-dum-dum... here is the "new - old" house! Looking fabulous, eh? Bho's dad & grandpa actually tore off the front porch railing and are building a brand new one. Yay, my boys rule! Bho's dad is also going to be adding a third, burnt-orangish color next Spring probably - just adding to the charm, I'm sure.

Not only did we get the house painted - we bought a crib for the Bho! Yes, she might be sleeping on a mattress and not on the floor with the Boo! However, the next problem is that it takes 6-8 weeks for delivery. Whoops.

It seems that our picky nature has caused a slight issue being that it is now less than 8 weeks until the big due date of 12/03. OH, and she is totally coming sooner, btw. I'll start taking bets on when we think she'll arrive... I'm pulling for a turkey baby. How cool would that be? Maybe we'll have to find a newborn sized pilgrim hat and buckle-shoes?

Bottomline, we're hoping that they build and ship the crib a few days sooner. But no worries though, Bho's dad is really good at putting stuff together quickly and carefully.

Bits & pieces

This has been a busy, busy week. Not only do I owe huge props to Bho's dad for persuading me to stop watching garbage t.v. during the week and open my law books (as I'm not cramming for three classes - only one!). I also went shopping with Bho's grandmas for crib bedding at the fabric store. I must say that if I had any creative talent in my bones, I think I could go nuts in a fabric store buying beautiful toile, paisley, and antique-looking prints. I guess I'm thankful today in the money & time department that my own mother has no crafty talent that was passed my way. Instead, all of the "craftyness" will definitely spawn from the Dub family. Bho's dad has already hoped outloud for another lefty in the house.

What I do realize about my mother is that one of her truely amazing abilities is to be polite and befriend everyone, which means I'm desperately crossing my fingers that trait is passed down to Bho. If she doesn't get this from my mom, she ain't gonna get it from anyone else in this household (no offense Bho's dad, cause you can be polite & nice when you want... but not to the extent of my mother). So please, please, please may she get some of that sugary sweet Taylor/Eckert blood.

So, I'm off topic. The point is that I'm a busy girl. Even though, I'm a busy girl we have started purchasing items for our "happy monster" themed nursury. Just the other day we finally got our Uglydolls. Yay! This is the extent of my craftyness, a homemade mobile:

Yes, I know, I need an eyebrow wax. Please stop looking at me and notice my little Uglydoll mobile. These dolls are the cutest thing since the Boo was a puppy. Check out the close up:

Dang, so adorable!

I'm hoping that next week I can provide a final pic of the new house paint. I've got to say that it has taken our painters 4 days at about 35 hours of work to scrape only two full sides of our house. Let's hear a "THANK GOD we are not doing this ourselves, HALLELUJAH!" I know my dad is cringing right now thinking that he should be up on the forty foot ladder scrapping every last board to perfection to save us money but the peaceful look on Bho's dad is worth the cost of a professional painter.

WARNING: graphic details/photos

Boohoo, I have rH negative blood. This means that I have to be poked & prodded even more than a normally knocked-up chick. Let me explain...

At 8:30am this morning, I had to pull my pants down and bend over on a table for a nurse to pinch my butt and proceed with a needle of cold juices. Good morning, right?! It was awful and even though I have a pretty pink band-aid on my rear, it is super sore and feels like someone is constantly pinching my ass (not in a good, fun way though). I blame Bho's dad again.

However, even though I may blame Bho's dad quite often - I want to show that I am not the only one experiencing pain in the H-dub household.

*DISCLAIMER: I did not cause this shiner. It was purely from his own strength of the tennis racquet. Nice work dude!

One more thing, I took a shot of the paint sample on our house. Here it is, looking like we slapped it up on the wall without priming, sanding & scraping, or thoroughly covering the puke yellow color. This is a special post for "Anonymous" because of the caring comment they made about my favorite color green. Now, I leave you to analyze the hue of the below green and I'm sure you will let me know what it signifies. Are you a Psych major, by chance?!

Opinions? Suggestions?

Paint the house, register for Bho, OH! and go to law school...

This is the new drama in life.

Bho's dad & I trying to pick out colors to paint our house - so far, this is going to be the new color combo (on a fake, simulated home from Sherwin Williams):

Hopefully, these will be the colors. Although, it is missing the entrance of burnt orange as an accent/trim piece and the green is a bit too green - please picture more of an olive instead. I will also post a picture of our REAL house when it is done and pretty and looking glamourous. I'm very excited to get rid of the yellow/blue vomit colors.

Also, I've been asked to get moving on registering for Bho. I'd like to know how do you register for a Bho?! Seriously, it isn't like registering when getting married. I mean, how do I know what kind of bottles she will like? What kind of storage system will work best to keep the BooBoo from eating poop-filled diapers? Or at the least will keep the Boo from dragging them around the house?! How many swaddling or receiving blankets does a Bho need? Geez, I don't even know the difference between a swaddling and a receiving blanket. Bho is doomed. She will be swaddled in a bathrobe and have diapers wrapped around her head. I blame Bho's dad.

My departing thought, I feel it's fairly tacky to assume that what I pick out is what my Bho would enjoy most... I mean, those with their own B-experience probably knows best and I hope to trust their judgment for the most part. Although, this is daring to admit since Craig & I are the pickiest parents (haters of pink, purple, sparkly princess things) trying to design a modern, simple, and "happy monster-filled" baby room.

Any suggestions on registering?

P.S. If anyone wants to provide me helpful hints on mutuality of obligation, consideration, long-arm statutes and jurisdiction, feel free. I'll get on this chore of baby registry much more quickly once I get a hold of someone's first-year law school outlines. *Hint-hint to those of you silly enough to put yourself through law school.*

Coincidence? I think not...

I just realized that yesterday, LABOR DAY, marked the three month countdown to Bho's birthday... yes, three months from yesterday will our LABOR DAY.

Just thought I'd share.

How coffee saves the lives of others around me...

One morning about two weeks ago, I woke up more tired than when I went to bed. True, it has happened many times before but this morning happened to be when I started law school. How was I supposed to get through eight hours of Legal Methods without any caffeine? Plus, the fact that I now weigh over 150lbs makes me a little depressed. If you don't already know, when I'm depressed, I like to lay on the sofa with the Boo and sleep... oh, and while I'm laying there sleeping I like to eat junk food. So, being that rational human being that I am - I realized by laying on the sofa and eating - this would not accomplish my goal of attaining a JD or staying under 162lbs fully pregnant. Therefore, I splurged - just for my first weekend of law school - I was allowing myself a medium, non-fat, iced latte. Ohhhh, drool.

This morning, the girl at the coffee shop had memorized my order of a medium, non-fat, iced latte. I'm guilty of returning to my caffeine addiction for more than the first weekend of law school. Don't worry, I've received permission from my doctor to drink one latte a day without any harm. My coworkers have thanked me for both the improved mood and increased productivity. Plus, I think Bho enjoys the additional jolt of energy while practicing diving in my belly. I think she might become a fantastic swimmer, call it a hunch. But besides being a swimming pro, I have a feeling she might be very accepting of others.

Someday in the following month when we've started collecting pieces to go with the theme of "nursery," I will post pictures. I'm happy to say that it will not involve porcelain dolls, clowns, or Barney... here is a tiny preview:

Oh, and my Indie Booboo ate another chocolate treat last night. What a little sh*t demon. It was the chocolate bar I had finally realized didn't make me nausous anymore. The one that I hand carried home from Paris back in March. The one that I opened and took ONE bite and left it wrapped in thick Euro paper and tinfoil on the kitchen counter. I sincerely hope she enjoyed the creme brulee milk chocolate delight because when that foil comes out in the backyard, it isn't going to feel very comfortable...

Overprotective family members, you know who you are...

There is a lot to be said about a close knit family especially when a new baby is brought into the mix... I mean, I can assume that my mom will answer the midnight phone calls when I'm stressed out and Bho won't eat, sleep, or shut up. I'm also assuming that my dad will take on the responsibility when we don't feel like paying a stranger to watch Bho during the day while I'm working hard for the money. Was that a subtle enough way of breaking the new nanny job to him?! Finally, I assume all other needs and desires will be fulfilled by Bho's other grandparents!

With those tiny details being clarified, I have to bring up my frustrations with being "over-protected" and throw out a small disclaimer to Bho.

I hereby swear to not only overprotect you, Bho -as I have endured for 29.5 years from my parents - but also affirm that your grandparents will do the same. As you grow older, you will come to appreciate this as a lack of commonsense on my part, quite suffocating and very irritating. However, you will also learn that it is fully out of my control. Please take refuge in the fact that we have supplied you with the cutest dog, Indie boo-boo, to help alleviate those worries; you should feel ever so lucky.

Because this is MY blog, I feel that I deserve to vent. Here are a few fairly reasonable assumptions I've made that thanks to my family are now frustrations.
-It seems logical to me that exercising, for example a pleasurable tennis match would be good for all pregnant women and fetuses alike.
-As is enjoying a nice dallop of frosting on an anniversary cake that I will only get once a year. I'd even stretch this logic to believing that a nice challenge, such as a law school endeavor, is good for the mental stability of any sane person. For those of you that do not understand why I'd be frustrated - talk to my parents, hubby, and friends/coworkers alike - they must supply the explanations because I have no clue.

Phew, with that being lifted off my shoulders - we can all relax and take a look at a few pictures of our awesome weekend in Lutsen. Just a forewarning to those who "overprotect the Jho," (this might be confusing for many, Jho = Jill plus last name abbreviation) I did exercise and I did get sweaty. Let this be proof that I'm alive and Bho is kicking after a long trek up Eagle Mountain to get to the highest point in MN. We're safe and I feel great that I got a bit more toned from all the climbing... God forbid I don't gain the same 100lbs that my mom gained from eating spagetti dinners every night, no offense mom. Love ya!

Notice the chosen photos don't include humans? Well, the photo credits must be given to Craigita for this trip. Evidently, it is known that pregnant women shouldn't control the camera (no offense Eyespy). I've chosen not to scare those few blogs readers with my lack of photogenic skills so I've ceased to post any of my glamour shots from our hikes. Now you have a chance to feel ever so lucky.

I learn, she learns...

If you know me, you know that I'm addicted to learning... or at least schooling. So much so that I'm beginning law school on August 3rd (yikes, we're down to 11 days and counting) part-time, law school, keep in mind. However, as I was reading a case study this afternoon while eating lunch - I felt more kicks and flips in the belly region than normal. That got me thinking, with all this legal learning I'll be experiencing in the next three months while Bho is at her most rapid development stages... will she be picking up legal terms and phrases from the womb? If I'm reading case studies and law books aloud to her during this final trimester, will she be the genius that I'm hoping for? Will her first word be certiorari?

Maybe it's not too far-fetched for me to start purchasing these?


Or maybe it is just the case that I should lay-off the fruit? I've already devoured one whole pineapple, a pint of blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries within two days. Perhaps, this is the cause for the extra kicks? Bho says, "mom, give me something that will stick to my skinny ribs already!" Damn Cub for having two-for-one coupons on fruit... I cannot resist!

WARNING!

Pregnancy causes klutziness!

Seriously, I'm a fairly agile walker - I even play sports regularly. I don't usually just trip when walking around the house or fall down unexpectedly. UNTIL last night... when I turned around in the basement after loading the washer (with Indie's poop stained delight) I proceeded to stub my toe so hard on a cinderblock that Craig rushed me to the ER, not by my request mind you, which means it was gory.

*Graphic details* On the way to the ER, I decided to squeeze the puss out of the top "flap" of my toe so that my toe-guts were covered. This meant blood and pussy stuff squirted all over my toe and down my foot, it was quite the delightful site. Even with this limping bloody pregnant lady walking into the ER, we had to sit and wait for three hours until finally I was over it. I told the nurse that I wasn't waiting to go into UrgentCare (they recommended this because the wait was shorter than the typical ER) for something I could wrap up myself. The nurse requested that I write a mean comment to the hospital and Craig recommended we watch "Sicko" when we returned home.

But instead, I elevated and iced my foot like a good girl while watching the Twins lose their second game to the Tigers. COME ON Twins, sheesh! While Bho did flips in my belly the whole time while enjoying a little extra blood flow since my bottom extremities were elevated. This is the plight of a newly clumsy knocked up chick. Let the good times roll.

Skinny is in, right?

So, the first "baby" looking pics are now available of Bho. Okay, I'm totally lying. Bho doesn't look anything like a baby but rather more like a skeltor child. Here she is telling me that she will be a Berkeley Child (ummm, please note the peace sign):

Here is a cute one of her long, super-model legs... taking after mommy already, I see. Heehee.

Hopefully, she "cutens up" and gains a bit of weight. Although, I have a feeling with my addiction to ice cream (no, it's not a craving - I've always eaten a lot of ice cream) she'll be a little fatty.

Puppies, rainbows, and balloons...

How do you break big news? Do you just spill the beans? Or do you let the words linger off your tongue in suspense? Personally, for me, I like to just spill the beans.

Well, normally, that is...

This time around though, it really feels like a momentous event - like something that should involve tears of joy and a truely engaged audience. I mean, knowing if we have a mini-me or a mini-Craig might throw caution into our world. Either way, we'll have a little tennis playing, snowboard rider dude that loves dogs. Now, do I have your attention?

I sure hope so... because we found out that it weighs 12 oz and is about 10 inches long. It has ten fingers and ten toes. It has normal umbicial cord pressure, bladder, stomach, heartbeat (135 bpm - are you trying guess the sex from that? Ha.) and beautiful, long skinny legs already. Most importantly, it doesn't have a cleft palate and the brain looks to be on track re: development.

What better news could I give? I mean, a healthy baby should bring joy into everyones life, right? A couple of hints... I now have someone with whom I can share clothes when I'm out of style, a shopping compatriot, a forever family who will someday bear her own children, and a girl who can overcome all gender stereotypes. I'm amazed that Bho is a SHE! Yep, bring on the terrors of pink and purple and we'll still grow into that tomboy daughter I've always wanted.

Oh dang, this means we'll be footing the wedding bill.

Craig? You'd better start putting away big $ into your retirement... you know the story, here comes daddy's little girl. You'd better not let her down, my daddy hasn't yet.

I'm the proud owner...

of a 2nd car. Finally!

This satisfying moment is all thanks be to the nice girl who lowered her price because she's a hippie moving to India in a month. It also explains why the car smells like bong water and patcholi. Oh well, nothing a little cleaning chemical can't take of...

Here she is with the adorable Boo demonstrating it's spacious "dog reservoir:"



P.S. There are side curtain airbags for those thinking ahead to Bho's safety. Phew! Trendy and safety all packaged in one cute VW Golf, what a deal!

Top Ten Heartburn Burns

Well, I'd suppose that I should have learned by now. If I have heartburn when I wake up in the morning I shouldn't go and eat grilled chicken tacos from Chipotle. Even if it is my hubby's big 30th birthday desire for luncheon fest. I also shouldn't order extra lime-oniony-corn-salsa stuff that caused me heartburn before Bho. But damn, that stuff is tasty. Salsa isn't the only thing that causes me heartburn, it is just the tip of the esophageal list of ouches.

Here is my top ten list:

10. Tomatoes
9. Peanut butter
8. Wheat bread
7. Salsa
6. Chocolate
5. Lemon yogurt
4. Lasagna
3. Garlic (of any sort and/or variety)
2. Red Sauce

*drum roll, please*

1. Lemonade

Who gets heartburn from lemonade? Oh my gosh, a warm summer day and I cannot drink lemonade?! All I gotta say is that Bho better be one special supermodel, tennis-pro, doctor so that it was worth the giving up of the only summer luxury = lemonade was worth it. Hmph!