Hello 3rd Trimester!

Dear 3rd Trimester:

Bring it. I'm ready to kick your ass.  I expect I will be ahead for about 4 - 5 more weeks, at which point pregnancy will begin it's major beatdown on me. But:  so far, so good.

Either way, I can't believe there are only 13 weeks left until my due date, and only 10 weeks until I have a full term person just chillin there inside of me. She'll be here before I know it and then I'll be someone's momma!

So if I had to take very honest stock of things right now, this is what I would say about how things are going (there is nothing gross on this list, don't worry):

Overall, I feel great!  

I'm anxiously awaiting the appearance of stretch marks.

People are curious if I'm miserable because it's "SO HOT".  But really, everybody is hot. I'm not special because I think it's hot in July. But I will admit that I dehydrate really easily since I'm building a pool for the kid to swim in.

I've gained 12 pounds, along with my doc's guidelines, but I have a really short torso so it looks like more than that I think.  I suspect I'll get huuuuuge over the next few months.

I'm lucky to be pregnant in summer because it's too hot to eat much besides salad and fruit.  But I do look forward to my ice cream outing once a week or so.  And I had some chocolate chip cookies the other night. 

I still teach yoga twice a week, and I don't think I've slacked off too much. Last night I totally kicked their asses.

I still go to the gym and do weights, core, and cardio.  Yes - I do ab work, because even though it seems a lost cause, a strong core will support the back.  And guess what?  My back doesn't bother me at all, yet.

My hips and back do make some crazy noises sometimes.  Like a box of Rice Krispies.

I'm a different size every day, and every morning brings a new game of "what fits?"

Even though it's somewhat terrifying what I will be left with, I actually don't mind getting bigger.  Ask me again in 4-5 weeks.  I'm sure even Rob will be terrified by then of how much a person can stretch.

My hands and feet are not swollen, YET.  But I do ice my feet in the evenings just in case they get any funny ideas.

I have trouble breathing pretty much all the time.  This is my chief complaint, but I know it's not going away, so I deal.

I'm lucky to have a fantastic (and uber-patient) babydaddy who's just as excited as me.  Good times.

And for those of you that are morbidly curious, this is just how fat I've gotten:

Me after yoga class-mostly belly.

Clean Breezes!

This weekend our main objective was to clean the ceiling fan blades and replace the smoke detector batteries.  This is what happens when you're not allowed to drink.  I mean, Rob can drink all he likes, and probably should.  But the most fun thing I can think of sober is to clean fan blades.  

Anyway, Rob cleaned the fan blades in Emerald's room and replaced the batteries in the kitchen smoke alarm after I threatened him with me teetering on the top rung of the ladder.  

I also went to the gym (TWO TIMES) and did some baby decorating!  (I know my blog has taken a turn for the super boring lately.)  It's still a work in progress, but we've got plenty of time to get it just right :)

First things first:  There are two pieces missing out of my now-completed puzzle.  I have a request to the company to see if I can get the two missing pieces for a small fee (some companies do this), but I might have to shell out the cash for a new puzzle and sift through 1000 pieces to complete this thing.  Will keep you posted, as you are no doubt on the edge of your seat.

 The Bambi posters are up!  Plus a baby picture each of Mom and Dad.

That's me in the middle; don't worry they are all straight now.

That's Rob in the middle.  Yes, I'm aware that we look like siblings.

A view of the wall.  Nevermind the disassembled jogger.

We bought the dresser from someone on Craigslist-

the only money we have spent on baby furniture.

My sis was nice enough to let us borrow Tye's super-Cadillac swing with iPod connection!

We are probably the cheapest new parents in history, but we have other things 

to spend our money on.  Like daycare.  And college. 

Emerald's sonogram (she looks like me, lol) AND the super-adorable

vintage lamp I found on Etsy!

Some extra storage and artwork Rob did as a 7th grader!

Some toys from Rob's childhood (remember Pound Puppies and Pound Purries?) 

in a willow switch basket made by my great-grandmother.  

Plus, my wedding dress "from that day Mom was a princess".

I'll admit it's a hodgepodge, but we try and make it special.

The crib (another borrowed piece from Rikki)

The quilt was a baby quilt made by my grandmother, 

and the blanket was crocheted by my Mom, both pieces from my babyhood.

I'm a sucker for family stuff, if you can't tell.

I did buy the crib skirt from Land of Nod, but decided to forego a full crib set.

Got my eye on an adorable mobile, and the framed puzzle will go above the crib.

Clean Breezes!

Check out our LED lightbulbs.  We are so green.

Rest time.

Now the truth comes out-I use this room for folding clothes.
And Bells uses it for her toys (see giant stuffed tomato in bottom left corner).

Homie and Slick say hi to Abby.

But really, Slick doesn't care.

Hope y'all have a good week.  I'm going to try and be more exciting in the future, but I bet it's a lost cause.

Thick (-ish)

25 weeks into baby baking!  This means only 15 weeks til Emerald is here (where did the time go?)!  I hear people say all the time "Oh, you must be so ready for her to get here," and "I know you can't wait to meet her".  But no.  I'm not quite ready, and it's easy to take care of her where she is.  So, the little one can keep baking.  

It probably helps that I've had an easy time so far, and even though I know things will get very sweaty and quite uncomfortable, here is the thing:  There is NO GOOD WAY to get a baby out (tele-porters, anyone?). She can stay where she is for now!

Growing, Growing.

There's still plenty of time to get grotesque.

In other news, I DON'T have this:

Here's to healthy baby baking!

Whirlwind!

We have been SO BUSY lately, but I'm happy to report that things are about to slow down for a couple of months, just in time for the intense July and August heat.

Rob's parents came to visit this past weekend to celebrate his new "Dr." title! We had a good time and had some pretty amazing food too :) There were presents!  For Dr Rob and for Baby Emerald!

We also went to childbirthing class (before his parents arrived).  It was super helpful because of all the security that is in place around all these new babies being born.  Now we know where to tell our guests to go and the protocol for getting in to see us and our new addition, only 15 weeks away (with some luck)!

First, presents for Dr Rob:

Jeff sent a "Doctor" shirt; now we all three have one!

(Mine is a little snug...)

Rob and parental units.

Next, presents for Emerald!

The first of many gator outfits.

Team outfits may only be worn on gameday.

Otherwise I will have a kid completely outfitted in

blue, orange, maroon, white, black, and gold.

(Gators, Bulldogs, Saints)

I'm having a hard time believing that people come in this size...

Evidently this is one of Lori and Jeff's "top ten".

Gigi and Deets work on Emerald's puzzle.

I'm hoping all the pieces are still there after all this time!

We also went out for dinner at Firebird's and Rob took his parents on a hike at Oak Mountain while I went to work Monday.  I don't have the photos of the hike but anyway I heard they had a good time and almost melted in the process.

Evidently the Mans Family likes to dress in coordinating outfits.

A good visit which ended this morning with me flying out of the house (like my hair was on fire) for my glucose tolerance test and doc appt.  Waiting to hear that I passed with flying colors!  

Dr. Muffins

My husband is a doctor (of philospophy)!  His dissertation defense was today and we are both so excited now that we are both officially done with school!  And tired.  We are tired, him especially.

He did a wonderful job on his defense, thanked pretty much everyone he had ever met in the acknowledgements, and had a grueling 1.5 hour private defense to follow.  In which he was asked to outline NMDA receptor conductance.  Yeah, he could tell you guys what people to never put on your committee, that's for sure.  But he passed and officially starts his new job tomorrow, in true Rob and Keri tradition.  No rest for the weary around here.

No defense is complete without cake.  This one was sooo yummy.

 Rob and his mentor, Ling.

Drs. Muffins

Rob and Dibs, the bringer of the tripod and general awesomeness.

 Rob, Ling, and former lab member Terry (ahem, Dr. Lewis)

 Our favorite German!  She is showing off her fishin' license-

guess who's next for the guided fishing tour?

I videotaped it, and was very thankful that our friend Dibs brought me a tripod to use so we didn't have shaky cam.  And for those of you that want to watch it, I should figure out my video software enough by tomorrow to post it here.  

So proud of you babe!

Now THIS is a FAIL.

Click HERE to see the fail for the day.

Super Happy Face (the sequel to Super Sad Face)

It's coming:

Super Sad Face

It has been a crazy week, y'all, and I'm looking forward to a 3-day weekend.  Although, Rob's defense is on the 6th, and I have to work this weekend too-so I'm not quite sure what I'm excited about.  It's nice to have the time to go on your own schedule for a bit, though.

Also, I did this to my car:

I have no one to thank but myself, and I'm not sure if this makes it better or worse.  So now my extra cash from summer lab teaching is going to be my deductible.  

That is all.