Nonfiction Lately

For some reason I'm on a reading kick.  I mostly blame Paul because he's the one that is always looking for new books to read and downloading them on the kindle.  Unfortunately he has other reading (homework) that he has to do, so I end up reading them instead.  It's not a bad thing, I like it, but I kind of want/need someone to discuss with!  Here are the books I've read lately:

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg
Lucky Man: A Memoir by Michael J Fox
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and other concerns) by Mindy Kaling

I liked them all, especially the first two.  You should read them and discuss them with me.


PS I just joined a book club (yay!) so I might be posting about books more often.

Myrtle Beach with Calvin

A few weeks ago Paul and I decided that it would be a good idea to go to the Tanger Outlet Mall in Myrtle beach to buy me some postpartum clothes since I was no longer able to keep my maternity pants up and my old jeans were still too tight.  I love outlet malls and the beach so it sounded awesome.  It wasn't.

Calvin hates the car for some reason and cried almost the whole day.  We got some dirty looks in Banana Republic as I hurriedly carried his screaming head out of the dressing room, followed by Paul and our humungous stroller.  Calvin also gets really scared at loud noises and screamed his head off when I was changing his diaper in the mall bathroom and someone dared to dry their hands with an electric drier.  Poor baby.

When we got down to the beach after shopping Calvin managed to fall asleep in the stroller so we did get to enjoy the boardwalk a little.  It was pretty cloudy.

The drive home took us more than 3 hours because we had to stop and soothe him practically every 5 minutes. 

On the bright side, I now have jeans that fit me and a pretty cute top to wear with them.  And I think (3 weeks later) that we might be figuring out how to keep Calvin from freaking out in the car.  Maybe.

Sumter County Fair

Calvin has had his fair share of outings for being such a little guy.  He's been to several restaurants, grocery shopping, out to Swan Lake, to church, and just this weekend we took him to the fair!  Yup, it's fair season again!  Talk about sensory overload for the little babe!  There were so many sounds, sites, and smells to take in but he handled it like a champ. 

Paul and I had a good time as well!  This time around we bought deep-fried Oreos and deep-fried Rice Krispie Treats.  I wasn't a fan of the Oreo but I looooooved the Rice Krispie Treat.  I think it was even better than the deep-fried Reeses that we tried last year at the State Fair.

We thoroughly enjoyed walking the midway, perusing the exhibits, and seeing all of the animals.  Calvin is always really good when we take him out but I think he especially liked the fair.


And for those craving more news about the little guy . . . He really likes being swaddled and rocked.  He also loves being outside.  At his appointment last week he weighed 10 lbs 14 oz, and I'm sure he's gained a ton since then.  He likes his bath only every other time and he's losing some of his hair.  He also tricks us into thinking he's responding to or smiling at us when in reality he's just filling his pants.  We love being his parents though and feel lucky that he's fitting into our lives so nicely!

20 days

Calvin will be 3 weeks old tomorrow.  It is hard to believe that 3 weeks have gone by since he was born and it has sure been an interesting 3 weeks so far!  My mom and dad were here, then Paul's mom was here, and we've had numerous visitors and several outings already.  Paul's been back to work so I've had 3 days alone with Calvin and I have a feeling we are going to get along just fine. 

I took this video of Calvin yesterday right after we had some tummy time.  He is so darn cute and tiny I can't believe it. 

 

 And for your amusement here's a picture of him going crazy for his fist:

 And one of him with his I-think-I've-had-too-much-to-drink face:

We love him so much!

Baby Boy

Our baby Calvin Paul made it to us on Friday, August 24th, 2012.  He was 8 lbs 10 oz and 21.5 inches long.  It was 8:43 in the morning. 

 

He is the sweetest thing and Paul and I love him immensely! We are so grateful to have him in our lives and feel so lucky that he made it to us safe and sound.  All I want to do now is kiss his cheeks over and over again.

Almost There!

39.5 weeks along and I feel like a lucky lady.  I haven't had any back pain and I'm moving around relatively comfortably considering my size.  The worst symptoms in my 3rd trimester hardly compare to the misery that was morning sickness.  Maybe this is my body trying to trick me into thinking my pregnancy was easy . . . 

My biggest complaint right now is the all-over itching, which has been going on about 2 weeks.  The second worst thing is the swelling of hands, ankles, feet, and face (which is why you only get to see my belly in this picture), but honestly those things are very manageable.  I would add heartburn in there as well except that I discovered the miracle of Zantac and have been heartburn free for about 6 weeks.  yay! 

So, I'm feeling pretty good and feeling ready for baby to come!  2 days until my due date!

21, 25, 28, 31, 35, 36 weeks

 

And I think I'm still getting bigger!
Click on the picture to see it bigger!

On the 4th of July

We celebrated our nation's independence by taking a hike at Harbison State Forest in North Columbia.  I made Paul walk ahead of me so I didn't have to walk through the spider webs.  It makes sense though . . . I mean the webs hit me in the face but they hit him in the shoulders.  That seems like it would be much easier to handle.  No one wants a spider in their face.  After the hike we did a little baby shopping then came home for some hamburgers on the grill.  Later we went to the park to watch a spectacular fireworks show with practically the whole city.  Once again it was incredibly hot and muggy.  Story of my life.

Paul left today for yet another TDY.  I swear we've only been home for 3 of the 7 months that have gone by this year.  I'm sad I can't go with him this time (ya know because I'm pregnant and all that jazz) but Annie's coming to keep me company and that basically equals party time.