A few pictures

Here are a few pics from this morning. Emma is starting to be more alert, open her eyes, and is content to hang out. . . so I thought I'd take advantage of these times to take some photos.

She's trying to open her eyes

Tuck is Emma's protector. Here he is making sure she's okay.

Truman is thoroughly pissed and giving me the cold shoulder. . . .but he thinks Emma is cute :)

Mmmm . .. .hands, tastes like chicken!

She's quick as lightning (aka. . no flash)

Emma Sinclair Anderson Schroeder

Our baby Emma made her grand debut this morning at 6:06 a.m. She weighed 9 lbs 4.5 oz and is 22 inches long.

Labor was quick (less than 10 hours from start to finish) and really intense. We were able to stick to our plan and have a natural childbirth at the Seattle Home Maternity Center with our fabulous team of midwives. Brian was an excellent birth partner and I couldn't have done it without him.

Without further ado, here are a few pictures of our little (big) girl.

Another day . . ..

Today we are officially 2 weeks from our due date! Yay! I'm getting more anxious by the minute, which I'm sure isn't helping this baby to get motivated to make its big debut. Every morning I think, "Is today the day," and every night I got to bed with Mt Ranier blocking my view of the TV. I'm feeling a little more comfortable today. . and was able to walk the dogs for about 20 minutes without feeling like I've been hit by a truck. So all in all, things aren't so bad.

I really need to get motivated at the shop and get some sewing done. I have several coat and bed orders that I NEED to get out before the baby arrives. Wish me luck.

Here are a few more pics of my beautiful mongrels. . . to spicen up my boring blog :)

Here's Tuck prepared for a "lively" Friday night. . .complete with toy, remote, and microbrew.

Truman making sure his pillow doesn't move.

Week 38

Sorry it's been a few days. . . I forgot my login and password. A case of baby brain I guess.

This weekend we went CRAZY and cleaned the house from top to bottom. It looks like a brand new place. I think we were dust and dog hair free for at least 24 hours :)

Ryan came over and helped B paint our bedroom. Our bedroom transformed from dark and dingy to bright and cheery. What a difference a few coats of paint makes.

We had our 38 week appointment yesterday, and even though I've thought this baby was coming any day now (I was sure on Monday that I was having the baby. . . my contractions were out of control) the midwives assured me that we still have some time left. I'm starting to thin, and the baby is starting to head south, but no real progress has been made. I may actually make it to my due date. . . . to my own dismay.

Other news: our renter debacle has come to a close. Yesterday, we found new tenants. I am so excited. That is a huge weight off of my shoulders. . . and will be happy to have the house lived in an paid for again.

Midwife Update

We had our 37 week midwife appt today.

Nothing exciting to report except we've got one BIG baby, and I'm having contractions. We're hoping to hang on a few more weeks so we can get more work done on the house. Its now a waiting game. It could be tomorrow or it could be 5 weeks from now. I'm hoping to shoot for right in the middle. Two more weeks to get stuff done would be really nice!

I took the entire weekend off. . . gasp. . .so we can finish getting the house put together. We have a ton of stuff to to clean, several bags to go to good will, and we have to take a box of books to the used bookstore. (yes, I convinced Brian to get rid of a box of books. . . . he didn't put up to bad a fight either. . . .)

Brian is getting his nesting on. He packed our bag, installed the car seat in the car, and has been decluttering and cleaning the house. I thought I was the one that was supposed to get the nesting urge. . . but he's got in under control for the both of us. HA!

Is there ever enough time?

And here we are at another weekend . . . .

Apparently, we still have a ton of stuff to do to get ready for the baby. In the last few days it's hit me that this baby is really coming. We've started preparations by getting stuff together to start our bag for delivery, most of the baby clothes/items have been washed, and Brian is working hard to get the baby's room done.

Today, I'm at the store and Brian is running around town desparetely trying to complete the list of things that I've left him to do. We've realized that time is running out. . . .and with that my lists have gotten longer. Poor guy. I have the day off tomorrow, so he won't be alone in the last minute scramble. Ha!

Great progress has been made on the baby's room. It's almost finished, and it looks FABULOUS!! Brian has really done a magnificant job! The floor is in, it's painted, the trim is installed, and next on the agenda is painting the trim and figuring out where we're going to put all the stuff. We have successfully decomissioned one of the two crates (Truman was very happy to give his up .... Mazie not so much) so the baby will only have to share the room with one crate. Next on the list of home improvements is to paint our room. We have the paint, now we just need an extra weekend to get it done.

We're going to Nate and Wendy's tonight for dinner and to pick up all the baby stuff they've offered to loan us. I think by the end of this, we will have more baby furniture than grown-up furniture and I wonder how can that be? How much stuff does this "little one" really need?? Its amazing how much stuff is out there. . luckily all of it was given to us by my store customers and friends. . but come on. . is it all necessary? (yes, I'm starting to sound like my husband)

We only have 26 days to go. We visit the midwives weekly now, and it appears everything is still going well. I'm getting bigger by the day, but overall I'm feeling okay. My energy level is back up (I don't know if this is because I'm working less and resting more or because I'm in that "holy crap we need to get stuff done mode") but my body is still creeky and sore. I now have a more pronounced waddle in the morning, which brings Brian great amusement. My desire to have this baby out NOW has diminished, and I've realized that a few more weeks to get stuff done will be much appreciated.

Here are some pics of the pups. . just because!

Old Man Tuck doing what he does best. . .holding down the couch!

Truman and Mazie fighting over the AC on the way back from Portland.

Good thing they love one another!

Beginning

Everyone keeps asking me to start a blog.

My response has been, "Why do I need a blog?"

Hmmmmm....

Apparently I need a blog because I am horrible about keeping in touch.

I need a blog because I own a small business and people want to know how the store is doing and if we're having any events . . .heaven forbid they check my website.

I need a blog because all of our family lives out of state.

I need a blog because we are expecting our first child in a mere 28 days and this will be a way for everyone to see said baby on a daily (not likely) or weekly basis.

Well to all of those constantly bugging me about blogging during my free time. . (you can thank Brian for forcing me to hire a competent employee so I no longer live at the store) you've finally gotten your way.

Here it is. . . .

Dogs and Babies Anderson Schroeder Style