Sweet Kicks

I have been able to feel the baby kicking a LOT. It is so sweet and crazy at the same time. Finally, after many failed attempts, Clayton was able to feel her little kicking on Saturday. I love feeling her move, but it is still a little strange to think that my growing belly is housing a baby. I don’t know if I am recognizing it more or if she is moving more but the last couple of days it has been pretty constant. It is so fun to think a little girl is in there just waiting to come out and meet us! I had a dream that I delivered a sweet little chubby face baby with tons of hair....hmmm by looking at Clayton and I, it probably won't be too far off the mark.

I feel like my belly is just getting bigger by the minute. I feel like I should be able to still just hop up on the counter to reach the top shelf with the flour, but even stupid little movements are seeming difficult. Ha,ha, I am not even that big, so I can’t imagine what it is like at 8-9 months along. I have gained some weight the last few weeks, so I am now back to my pre-pregnancy weight. Funny as it is, my clothes still don’t fit even though I am now at the weight I started at. I can eat an entire watermelon by myself in about a day and a half. That is one thing I am LOVING. Give me a watermelon and a little salt and I am a happy camper!

We were OVERLY busy this weekend. I don’t know that we had 5 minutes in between activities—they were all fun, it was just tiring. Friday night we went with my fam out to dinner for Father’s day. Saturday we took Clayton’s car to get detailed (his father's day present), finished working on our front door, did laundry, went to a baby shower, swim party and then an old work party that evening. Sunday we went to church, came home and cleaned the house, went to my nephews ordination and a little dinner, then to the hospital to see Mindy. We didn’t get home until almost 10 pm! I am completely tired…and today it is just back to work. A extra day of rest in there would have been great. I am looking forward to the holiday next Monday when we both get a day off—but my Mom will be in town for my sisters baby blessing and next weekend is filling up like the last….so I will just have to keep waiting for that “day off”. On the plus side I can’t wait to see my Mom and go pick up some more stuff for the baby’s blessing dress she will be making. YEAH!!!

Work has been going good—I was just moved from an office to a cubicle out in a little area and then moved again into full on CUBIE LAND. I have never had to work in an area like this and I don’t know that I like it. I don’tmean to be an office snob, but it is hard to make phone calls to clients when 500 others are on their phone or chit-chatting. Some peace and quiet would be appreciated. Not to mention everyone’s conversations are to say the least interesting. You would think that since everyone can hear you,you might not tell ridiculous stories or personal info…oh no. I get to hearit all. I try to just keep my ear buds in, but honestly I would just like a little office. Put me in a corner, I don’t care, this cubicle land is driving me nuts. However, I am super lucky to have a nice boss who I can send funny IM’s to, saying “save me, please call me into your office” or“Your office with a view sucks compared to my cubicle”. He usually just laughs or plays it up. It is nice to have a boss you can joke with (like calling him a wuss, creepy or old man (when he is only 35)) and actually enjoy their company. I know a few of my previous managers should take some lessons from him. So I guess I should not worry about the cubicle and just enjoy my super nice boss and the fact that I have a job.

And since I can't really say when I will be posting again until after the holiday......HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!!

No Soliciting

Ok, although it may a faux pau on my blog, I am going to put this out there anyways.

It is semi-official. I have started a business. I have my name registered, I got my business license; bought the software and coolest piece of office machinery (my beautiful 10 key). Now I am going to be looking for some clients...so if you know someone who would need a bookkeeper, send them my way ;). I will be offering accounting services and payroll services (accounts receivable/payable, bank or account reconciliations, preparation of financial statements, processing payroll, quarterly filings, W-2 and 1099's). They can email me with questions, set up a free consultation or request my resume & references.

Thanks for letting me sell my services here...while keeping my clothes on. And a special thanks to whoever made photoshop--I can have hours of fun making cool stuff like my logo or digital scrapbooking pages, or editing photos that were not quite up to par. Thank you cool designer folks.

Names

Well--for Christina--here is my belly a couple weeks ago(16 weeks). I will post another pic after I take my 20 week photo this weekend! I can't believe I am almost 1/2 way done!!

We have been looking at a name book and there are some interesting names out there. We haven't picked any out for certain but I do like more unique names that are feminine. Not some crazy off the wall names, just pretty ones or ones that won't have 15 in a single class room (like Madison or Brooklyn--even though I love those names).

My family lives by nicknames--so I need to keep that in mind when picking a name for our baby girl. What will we call her? Does the nickname sound just as good? Silly but true. No one goes by their real names around our houses. My Dad would really like it if we named her Velda just so someone can carry on the V (his name is Verlan). Nice try Dad, but I don't think so on this one. Violet maybe, but no Velda.

We have laughed super hard with some of the names and their meanings in our book. The best was a name that meant: beautiful; like a creeper. Really? Like a creeper hu. I don't really picture any creeper beautiful. It was an indian name and I can't remember which one it was--but if I find it I will let you know.

Here are some names that we laughed at. Nothing tops beautiful like a creeper though. How endearing.

Brunhilda: armored warrior.

Bum: duty; fragrance. (very interesting)

Anuhya: something pleasantly unexpected. (oh so an OOPS baby)

Anais: gracious. (not the first thing that comes to mind)

Clearly we haven't gotten too far in the name book. I will try to keep a better list of the laugh out loud names so we can all enjoy.

The verdict is in...

We are pleased to announce our little bundle of joy is made with sugar and spice and everything nice. It’s a GIRL. Clayton was right and can’t wait to have a Daddy’s girl. I was secretly hoping I would have a little girl to dress up. We are both very excited!!!

We had our target ultrasound yesterday. Everything is looking great. The baby is about 8 oz and 5 inches long (crown to rump). The lady doing the ultrasound said, “Well here are the legs and feet and oh here is a perfect shot…..what do you think it is?” I stared for a moment and Clayt said, “It’s a girl!” “Yes, it is a girl indeed. No doubt about it.” We got some cute pictures of her precious little face. She had her hands up next to her face the whole time. She was crossing her legs and they took a cute picture of just the bottom of her feet.

After our doctors appointment, we ran to all-a-dollar and made little baskets with boxes of sugar and spice and a little candy (everything nice) with a “It’s a girl” balloon. Then we delivered them to our parents. Everyone is excited for a little girl! On my side of the family, I have two sisters that just had baby girls—so they will have little girl friends 6 months apart. On Clayton’s side there are two boys on the way and one born a couple months ago so she will have some boy cousins close in age as well.

Now for the shopping, craft, bow and blanket making! I am so excited to use a pattern I bought on sale a few weeks ago to make a big blessing dress out of the train from my wedding dress. Well not me, but my cute Mom will make it for me ; ). I will keep to the simple stuff that is ok to mess up—but not the blessing dress.