Baby Bums

I really need to order my cloth diaper materials already. It's just so hard because there's so many choices out there! The thing that makes me most annoyed is how little access there is for cloth diapers in the area. Sure, I can buy pre-folds (1 doz for $12) at the local Wal-Mart but you can't find covers, pins, or plastic pants sized for smaller than a potty-training toddler anywhere around! Oh well... I should just order my stuff and be done. Have just about everything else ready for baby's arrival. Clothes are washed, diapers are sorted, changing table is almost ready...Just have to finish washing the baby bedding and blankets and pack my hospital bag. And I still have five weeks to go! Not bad, huh...

Christmas Eats

Can you believe it? I celebrated the holidays without attempting a single bit of traditional baking on my part, Santa came and left wool socks but no candy in my stocking, I ate very little sweets over the entire holiday weekend, and (surprisingly enough) it still felt like Christmas. I did make some yummy homeade eggnog but decreased the amount of sugar (could probably do so again) and used our milk so I didn't feel quite so bad about that indulgence. It's got me wondering... Can Christmas be celebrated without the cookies, bakery, and other sugary treats? I do like my Christmas cookies and was able to limit myself to just four this year, but I wish I had the willpower my hubby has. He hasn't eaten any goodies for the last two months! I will admit to having a sweet tooth and I always start the holiday season with good intentions but rarely manage to follow them. This year I did though, proving to myself that it can be done. I felt better too. None of that icky "I ate too much" feeling after Christmas Day Dinner. Is it just because I am pregnant that I am watching how much and what I eat? Or is it that I am finally changing eating habits for the better? I suppose I will have to wait and see if these good habits stick after the baby is born. (One thing I discovered over the weekend...A chilled clementine is sweeter and tastier than any cookie I tried.)

Christmas To Do List

1. Make eggnog, prepare cheese & cracker tray, and get milk for family (in-laws) get-together on Christmas Day. (Should really call and find out if I need to bring more food too.)

2. Clean house and make meatballs for family (mine) get-together on Sunday. (Don't want my family to see what my house looks like on a regular basis, now would I? hehe)

3. Figure out one more gift idea and wrap remaining gifts. (Any good but quick homeade gift ideas out there?)

4. Get a tree and decorate it. (Just haven't had the time to find one yet.)

5. Quit sitting at the computer and get some work done already. (Get off your butt already, Jill!)

6. Enjoy the holidays with family, friends, and whoever else stops in.

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

'Tis the Season

To be warm. Let me tell you that I am really enjoying my woodstove these days. Even on 'warmer' days like today, it's nice to not feel guilty about keeping the house at 70 degrees.

In other news, I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and my weight gain is still hovering around 13-14 pounds total, though a weekend bout with the stomach flu is partially to blame. Everything is looking good with the exception of a possible breech baby (based on the fact that the Dr. had to look for the heartbeat above my belly button instead of below). The Dr. is going to re-evaluate at my appointment next week and if she still thinks the baby is breech, I have to go for an ultrasound to find out for sure. However, the Dr. also said not to worry as I still have six weeks to go and that the baby may flip on it's own. Easier said than done but I'm trying. I don't want to spend the next weeks worrying about something that may not be an issue.

Cold Mornings

It's getting to be that time of year again. Yes, I know Christmas is on the way but that's not what I am talking about. It's time for the thermometer to show dreaded NEGATIVE numbers. Yep, it was officially -0.6 degrees F this morning when I headed out to do chores. At least it was warm here. The in-laws had a temp of -2 degrees. These colder mornings mean cold fingers and toes while milking, chasing cows, and feeding calves. It also means that my 'automatic' starter on the pickup needs to be in working order. (aka my husband) That 'automatic vehicle starter' is also a pretty good 'automatic fire starter' for the wood stove, too. (Thanks, honey. I don't tell you that enough!) I am also getting prepared for the inevitable frozen water/sewer lines (water line has frozen a few times already including today). There's a bucket of water in the bathroom, a gallon of drinking water in the kitchen, plenty of hand sanitizer and, of course, I stocked the outhouse toilet paper supply.

Baby on Board

I am 31 weeks pregnant and only have 9 weeks left to go.
That's 9 weeks left of:
-hearing the stories of farmer's wives who milked in the morning, went in and had their baby, and were back out in the barn for evening milking
-not fitting behind the steering wheel of my car
-hearing all about the awful labors and the extraordinarily short and sweet labors
-waddling
-waiting on pins and needles to meet the little imp that daily reminds me of it's existence with 'gentle' nudges and bumps to various internal organs and bones
-having to pee every few minutes
-not being able bend over and tie my shoes

It's also 9 weeks left of:
-wondering what my baby will look like
-hoping the times flies by
-waiting to fulfill my greatest wish
-waiting to meet the miracle that is my baby

Saved the best reason for last.