Another Great Weekend

Items needed to blog about my great weekend:

Good Idea- Check
Take pictures- Check
Camera- Check
Camera cord- Oops

I knew I forgot something as I was carrying way too many things to the car this morning. I guess tomorrow will be my updates. :)

One thing I can say is that today is technically my 35th week and 35 days until my due date. Although I won't be going to the full 40 weeks. So really I've got more like 3.5 weeks left. And I'm SO excited.

Happy Monday.

Baby Stuff

Mark and I have been doing some looking and research. Mark (and this is the truth) was very concerned about using plastic bottles for the baby. He heard about BPA problems in plastic bottles and thought we should consider glass. I however, am very clumsy and would hate to drop a glass bottle. That being said, I jumped online and started looking around at different bottles. I found that most bottles are BPA free so that was no longer a big concern. With my history of G.E.R.D. (terrible acid reflux) and babies already having issues, I wanted to find something that may be able to help. I came across a brand that seemed different and had LOTS of great reviews. The main problem, they weren't in very many stores. Mostly available online.

Last week, I walked into Publix to pick up some salmon. I walked down the baby aisle and stopped at the bottles to see what they carry and there they were- MY BOTTLES! I bought all they had but that was only three 8 0z bottles and two 5 oz bottles. I was so excited I went home and took pictures to show all of you. Publix really made shopping a pleasure for me that night! And the fish was great too.



Then I got a birthday package and here is what was inside. I can't wait to see this on Little Mark's hiney! Thanks Becki! Now when are you going to update your blog???

Truth be told, I can't wait to see his little hiney! Forget putting stuff on it. :)

30th Birthday, Part 2

Saturday we woke up and Mark's belly was upset. I went downstairs to get him some pepto. While I was down there, I let them know our room was smelling like smoke and it's not us (since entire Marriott line is completely smoke-free) and they changed our room. So that slowed us down for our most important activity of the trip...this gorgeous building. This is the Orlando Temple, where Mark and I were sealed 3.5 years ago. After arriving and walking in to the calm and peace that is the temple, the sweet little man at the desk let Mark know his recommend expired last month and he couldn't go in. I can't believe I didn't look at it. I keep both our recommends in my temple bag so that when we go, we don't forget them. Well, that's a good plan if you keep an eye on the expiration dates. That being said, we walked outside, took pictures for other people and went to Beehive Clothing for some new unders.



Mark quickly needed another trip to the bathroom (still wasn't feeling great, which is why I didn't go on in the temple without him) so we went back to our hotel until my parents were out of the temple. Then we met up with them for a very special lunch....

Who doesn't love Boston Market? Can I just tell you that nothing makes me happier than their mac & cheese and their sweet potato casserole? No birthday is complete without either.

After that, Mark and I had an appointment to visit a spa. We found a place that had a great deal. We had a 1 hour couples massage, 1 hour facial, 20 minute foot massage and a parafin treatment (which wasn't the big deal part of it...but it did make for a good photo opp). This was right after our 1 hour massage, which is why my eyes look swollen and Mark relaxed. We both felt like we had paws and started acting like kitty cats...which is completely normal for us. MEOW.

We walked around old town after our relaxation time. The band started playing and these women were up and dancing. I took pictures because that is totally me in 10, 20, 30 or 40 years. I will dance like no one is watching! Maybe I should say I'll dance like EVERYONE is watching, cause sometimes we all love a crowd. But they don't call me the dance machine for nothing!

Then after eating some dinner and getting back to the hotel in our smoke-free/smell-free room I was down for the count! Mark always takes pictures of me when I'm sleeping. So here you go, this is what a sleeping 30 year old looks like! :)

Sunday we woke up, had a lovely breakfast, utilized our late check out and made our way home. We stopped at my brother's house for a birthday gathering. My oldest nephew Cody turned 21 and we got to celebrate with pizza. It was really a great weekend and I have my husband to thank for taking time off to take me away.

Now...bring on the baby stuff.

My 30th Birthday, Part 1

Well, It's official. I'm 30! Can't even believe it. But so far, so good. I can only be excited for all the new changes that will come with being 30. And for that, I'm thrilled to be 30.


Wednesday I got home late from Zumba and at my door, was this beautiful delivery. Grandma Rita (Mark's G-ma) is a wonderfully sweet little lady that I adore. She's got to be one of the nicest, sweetest, most kind hearted women I've ever met. She's always so thoughtful of us. Thanks Grandma! The flowers still look great.



I had a Dr's appt Friday morning, came home and there was a package at my front door. Inside there was a birthday card from my first roommate in Utah, Becki. Her daughter's handprint was in the card and I loved it. Hadley just turned 1 last week. She's a mover and Becki had a hard time getting her hand outlined. It says "her hand is normal. this is not an exact duplicate" and that made me laugh pretty hard.



After Mark got some work done, I was whisked away to Orlando for a fun weekend. Late Friday evening we went to the Cheesecake Factory. Not normally something I would choose for a birthday but I was feeling some appetizers, cheesecake and raspberry lemonade. Mark is always in the mood for nachos, even after an hour and a half wait.

That's what nachos can do to you! That's our cute nephew Christian. He was eating a Roadside slider. Which are basically expensive Krystal burgers. I prefer Krystals but those sliders were good too.

After we stuffed ourselves came time for cheesecake. YUM. This was my birthday slice of carrot cake cheesecake.

That's Mark's finger in the picture (cause he wanted to be in my picture too) with me blowing out my candle.

Mark doesn't like cheesecake or cake for that matter. So he ordered up a brownie sundae. He was super surprised to see how large it was. Evidently he didn't realize we were at the Cheesecake Factory where everything is larger than life.

This is their new red velvet cake cheesecake. Cassie ordered it. I was completely jealous. That cheesecake was the BEST thing there. I should've sent mine back. Instead I ate a few bites of hers and then took mine back to the hotel. I never ate it...was too busy dreaming of this one.

This was right before we left. These guys were full and happy and slightly ready to leave.

Here are the ladies of the evening (except GA was sleeping) and yes, no eating experience is complete without me dripping stuff down my front. :)

Mark and I drove back to our hotel and we were so excited to find some friends there to greet us. They were looking for dinner too. I was so tempted to feed them our leftovers.

There were a bunch of raccoons around the dumpster and one inside scavenger. It reminded me of growing up and raccoons coming into our backyard Sunday nights for hotdogs.

Part 1 of my birthday was great. Mark and I enjoyed ourselves and our time together.

Breakfast

Mark has taken me out of town for my birthday weekend. We're celebrating both my 30th birthday and our 5th anniversary. This is kinda our last hoorah before the little guy gets here. I've got fun stuff to tell about our weekend and pictures from my actual birthday.

This morning we were having breakfast downstairs. Here at our hotel, they have a nice breakfast buffet and most importantly-Mickey Mouse waffle irons and Mark can't deny those. So we got down there, we started our waffles and next thing you know, Mark was making a huge stink with the middle waffle iron. His waffle was stuck in the top and bottom of the waffle iron. He pulled half of it out and then the rest was super stuck. There he was, people standing around him as he's trying to pull the broken and burning waffle out of the waffle iron piece by piece. At that point, I'm laughing at him (I still don't think he knows) and wishing I had my camera or cell phone or some way to take a picture. Then the waffle iron was falling to each side dropping on to the other waffle irons. I can't explain it as funny as it was...but I was snorting and moving away slowly with each piece he pulled off. When I walked back over Mark smiled and said "I get a do-over." I love him! He always makes me laugh. We have such a great time together.

Have I Been Hacked?

Who has my password and why are you playing tricks on me? I just looked at my blog baby tracker and it's telling me I have 49 days til my due date. Combined with the fact my little man is a little large + I have the sugar = an early arrival bear! How has this happened? Not the pregnant part...I remember vividly how that happened! But how did time go by so quick? Will someone let me know when I can start to panic?

For now, I'll wait patiently, continue getting his room ready and prepare whatever I can. I can work on my birthday dinner in Orlando and I'll get back to creating a dinner menu for the next couple weeks. Any thoughts on somewhere fabulous to eat in O-town or something quick I can cook after the gym?

Nursing Bra 101

I consider myself a student of this whole becoming a mommy thing. I look to those of you that already have children as my mentors, instructors and professors.

That being said, I'm stuck. I have quite the situation with nursing bras. I can't go out and try one on. They don't carry my size ANYWHERE. I have tried and not even Bloomers has any solutions. Those little blue haired ladies have always been the ones I turned to for help with my massive gazungas. I have to order them online. I placed an order a while back and it came in and it already doesn't fit.

My size before pregnancy was a 44-H. (Yep, I said it) Right now, I'm pouring out of my H (which my husband doesn't mind at all) and I would say I've possibly gone up a cup or two. What in the world am I going to do once my milk comes in?

I finally found a company that builds nursing bras up to size L. That's right, I said build! Because it takes something well built to keep these things under control.

But now, I have to guess what size I'll be, so I don't waste too much money or time ordering. It's 3-4 weeks for shipping. OUCH!

Ladies, let the guessing begin. We'll have a bra pool to see who can guess what size my milk jugs will be once my milk arrives. Winner receives something clever...not sure what but it will be great. Good luck!

What just happened?

This morning I came into Mark's shop, put some mail on the desk and out of no where I was wet and warm. I had no urge to use the bathroom, I hadn't done anything. I had no clue what happened. So, I took myself to the restroom to see what was going on. Everything was clear. At that point, I did what any girl in my situation would do...I called my mama!

Mom: Hello
Me: Hey Mom! I'm wet and didn't have to use the bathroom, any thoughts?
Mom: Let me put some clothes on and I'll be right there

Here I sat thinking about all the possibilities. So again, I decided maybe I should call my Dr.

Dr Office: Dr. Hyler's office
Me: Hi, My name is Casey Gentle and I feel silly but I don't know what just happened
Dr Office: Yes?
Me: I walked in, put my stuff done on my desk and had now I'm wet. I never had to use the bathroom though.
Dr. Office: What did you say your name is and can you hold on a minute please?
Me: Casey Gentle and of course I can hold
.........
Dr. Office: Mrs Gentle?
Me: Yes
Dr. Office: We need you to go ahead over to the 2nd floor of the hospital and get checked out just to make sure you don't have a rip or tear.
Me: Really?
Dr. Office: Yes, better safe than sorry.
Me: Ok

At this point, my mom walked in and informed me her water never broke with any of her 5 deliveries. So she really didn't know what she was looking for...but she brought pads just in case! I told Mark what the dr's office said and he closed his shop so quick and off we went.

I had to check myself into labor & delivery. So as I went to check in, I said "I feel really silly, but I need to be checked." They told me to strip down, hooked me up to monitors and asked a gazillion questions while my sweet husband held my hand and my mom got to see my goods. While sitting there, all I could think was: I won't be able to take my baby home because I don't have a car seat, I don't have diapers or wipes, I don't have a camcorder and I left the camera at the shop, he's too small, this can't be happening.

The tests came back negative...which meant my water didn't brake! WOOHOO! So even sillier, I just peed my pants. What a relief. I've never been happier to admit I wet myself. I don't want an August baby, I want a nice healthy late Sept/early Oct baby! He's obviously not done baking! Now I just carry extra clothes in my car! What a magical time this is!!

Turkey Anyone?

Little Mark is quite the little butterball turkey! He is 4lbs 7 oz so far. He's in the 70th percentile. I'm measuring a little further along than we thought. Those things together, we might bring in the little guy around Sept 27th. He's just inching his way into our anniversary. I don't mind, as long as he comes safely. Maybe our anniversary will invite him out.

He had his hand balled up over his head as if he was rockin'. Obviously his father's son!

This is his sweet little face. He kinda looks like a Jack-o-lantern in the face shots since his eyes and mouth are blacked out. But he is sideways looks directly at us

This is what my family classifies as the "blow face prints." It looks like his nose and lips are pressed on some glass.

Another face shot with our little Mark-o-lantern, with his fist

It was so great to see our little man looking at us. His little cheeks were so chubby and cute and ready to be kissed. His lips were also puckered for kisses. I can't wait to get my hands on him. I'm sure he will be primed for cuddling close and lots of smooches. Those thoughts bring so many emotions and so much love into our hearts. We look forward to meeting him soon. But we'd like that little butterball turkey to be a little larger before he makes his grand entrance.

2 Months till Mr. Sweetness Arrives

Really, two months? How can I only have 2 months to go? With a due date of Oct 5th...I suppose it has happened. Now is when I should start freaking out, right?

So far, I've only seen nurses at each OB appointment. I go to Dr Hyler's office and he is always delivering a baby, so I can completely understand why I'm seeing nurses. Now I'm on the every 2 week OB appt track. Friday I showed up for my appt, walked in and sat in the office waiting for a nurse to come in. In walked Dr. Thirumlai. She is now with Dr. Hyler. I was so excited to see a Dr for the first time. She pricked my finger, let me know that my sugar is too high and she's labeling me with gestational diabetes. My heart sunk. Somehow, I knew this would happen. She explained to me what I need to be doing and eating and avoiding. I was able to open up and ask questions and get lots of good info from her. Do you know the worst part? I have to check my sugar (prick my finger) 4 times a day and be very cautious with what I eat. Do you know the best part of having gestational diabetes? I get to see my baby a few more times before he gets here! Each week I have to go in, get hooked up to a monitor and they will check his movement. Every 3-4 weeks they will do an ultrasound to check his size and make sure he's not too large or too small. I am reserving the right to eat cake at my baby showers and on my 30th birthday. However, my body belongs to this little man for 2 more months and I want to ensure a smooth delivery. So I have cut out sugary treats and traded them for occasional fruit and lots more veggies. I have to eat every 3 hours (another perk) minimum. Best of all, she cleared me to get back in the gym. She said there is no reason I can't do my zumba classes, just to pace and hydrate myself. Do you know how much I LOOOOOVVVVVVEEEEE zumba? I think this is the butt kicking I needed to keep myself in check. As Olivia Newton John once said, "Let's Get Physical."

Tomorrow or Friday, expect an update with pictures of Little Mark. Maybe even a "Sam Eagle" shot. I'm so excited to see him!

So....

....buttons

Have I mentioned I really want to learn to sew? More than buttons though. I want to make a sewing machine for my birthday and everything. (A sign I'm turning 30 very soon!) Its been burning within me now for about 6 months. The county was doing an 8-week adult continuing education class for sewing and I was all signed up, monies turned in and ready! The day before class started-it was canceled. WhAT??? How could this be? Not enough people signed up for it. So I'd like to give a shout out to each of the people that didn't make this happen for me! That would be all of you reading this that live in the vicinity. Now its up to you...who wants to teach me to sew and what do you suggest I start out with?