Home Construction is Done!

The last few weeks at the McConkey home have been a real cluster but I'm happy to report we are finished!  The painters, electrician, drywaller and security door installer man all did such a great job! I'm so excited to show you all the final product.  I'm hoping with these items off my list my "nesting" phase will be over. 



Our New Front Door and new Light

The electrician moved the chandelier so it would be centered over the table.  Lowe's sent me a new Chandelier to hang as well.  Well....after I paid for it they sent it to me.  The drywaller did a great job patching the hole.  You can't even tell anything happened to the ceiling.   



Our living room has a new ceiling fan and freshly painted walls. 

  I still have yet to take a picture of LMNO's room and the guest bathroom.  Something to keep you all on the edge of your seats.  I know you can hardley contain yourselves.  :)

Tuesday we had the pleasure of seeing our growing little one for the last time via ultra sound.  This had to be the most stressful and wonderful of them all.  I say stressful because the last time we went in for an ultra sound Dr. B let me know there was a cyst inside my little baby's brain.  She then proceeded to tell me that this happens often and by week 24 the cyst usually goes away on its own, however it was her duty as a Dr. to let me know.  Me:  Um....okay?     So basically for the last 10 weeks I've been nervously wondering what we'd see in this ultra sound.  Low and behold the brain was the first thing the tech looked at and No cyst!  Hallelujah! 

LMNO was quite active for us, she was blinking (totally weird btw), yawning, and playing with her feet.  It was the cutest thing ever.  In this pic below you can see her eye's open.  I know kinda freaky but totally cool at the same time.

 This picture is one of many 3D pictures we received.  As Justin said, "She looks like you!"  I'm like, why because she's alll distorted?  Uh, thanks Babe.  This is probably the best one of the many we got to take home with us but it's still hard to see.  It looks like she's posing with her hand on her cheek.  I'm sure she'll be a natural in front of the camera.  Yep taking after her Mom already ;-). 

LMNO's weighing in at 3lbs, 3oz (60th percentile) and Mama's weighing in at, well, that's a secret but I'm happy to report that I've only gained 1lb in 5 weeks.  Whooohoo!  18lbs total.  With any luck I may stay right around the recommended 25lb - 35lb weight gain mark.  The first set of #'s is preferred. 

Lindsey, Sheri and Sarah sent out baby shower invites on Monday.  They're so cute!  I'm so lucky to have such great friends and family to literally shower us with love.  I now know why they call it a Baby "Shower."  I'm counting down the days till October 13th and October 27th arrive, can't wait!

Oh Crockett....

 With all the attention LMNO's been getting lately I believe Crockett's beginning to feel neglected.  He's started to be rebellious in recent weeks and has a bit of an attitude growing.  It could be his version of the terrible 2's, but that would mean he's a teenager in dog years.  So I guess I get it, I mean who doesn't know a teenager with a little tude?  I know part of this is my fault as his Frisbee throwing sessions are somewhat limited with the heat and my inability to bend over as easy.  Not to mention trying to play tug of war with a 100lb German Shepherd isn't exactly a good idea given my current state.

So here are a few pictures of my favorite puppy being himself.  I know he doesn't check my blog on a regular basis but I hope he knows how much I love him.  





Greatest silhouette ever! 

 Here he is watching Glee's Britney 2.0.  He's "Not That Innocent..."

Caught in the act!



So the funniest thing about Crockett is he LOVES tomato's.  No seriously, you don't understand.  The other night we had a plate full of steaks sitting on the counter and next to it a plate of diced tomato's.  What did he steal of the counter?  The Tomato's of course!  He's so funny!  You can't even say the word tomato without his ears perking up, he gets so excited.  So instead of bones and treats in his stalking this year, Crockett will be getting, you guessed it, tomato's! 





29 Weeks

77 days to go!  LMNO's now the size of a small cabbage or an acorn squash.  I think I need to start eating my vegetables because I don't know what half these things look like?  She's now 17 inches long which is crazy  because she'll probably be a similar height when she's born.  At only 2.5lbs she's got a lot of chub to gain before she makes her debut.  Can't wait to see those numbers on the scale increase even more.....Oh Goody!! 

 McKenna and Mom sent out the invites for my baby shower this week.  I couldn't believe how adorably cute they are!  They did such a good job!  And how cute is this....

"My sister is almost due and I can't wait for the baby to laugh and coo,  Her little girl will be loved by our family a whole bunch, So please come and join me for a Saturday Brunch"

I just love, love, love it!  And how cute is this!  It's in a little diaper!  I can't wait for October to get here!  First Mom and McKenna's shower at the beginning of the month and then Lindsey, Sheri and Sarah's shower at the end of the month.  With so much love from family and friends October will definitely be one to remember. 

Let the 3rd Trimester Begin!

28 Weeks today.  That means 84 more days to go or 12 weeks and counting.  I feel like it took forever for the first 28 weeks to get through but now that I'm only 12 weeks away,  I'm freaking out!  So instead of stressing I'm going to think of it in a different perspective.  With only 12 more weeks that means in 12 weeks I'll be able to eat a turkey sandwich from Port o' Subs.  Start fitting into my regular clothes.  I can drink a coke and not stress over the amount of caffeine I've had in a day.  Better yet, I'll be able to NOT pee every 4 minutes.  And the absolute #1  thing to look forward to in 12 more weeks is WINE! 

Oh wait, I mean the best part will be meeting my little mini me...She says anticlimactically.  This is probably strike one against Mom of the Year award.  Choosing wine over baby is generally not perceived as positive.  Well, on the bright side I have 12 more weeks to work on my priorities.  :)

My to do list is getting shorter by the week.  The electrician will be here on Monday to install ceiling fans, light dimmers, an outside light and move my chandelier.  The drywall/painter will be in the following week.  The carpet and tile will be cleaned in 2 weeks and my security doors I ordered are ready and will be installed next week.  For the sake of my check book I need this nesting phase to be over with pronto. 

In the meantime my bump continues to grow and look ridiculous.  Remind me to take a picture of my actual belly so I can show my daughter, Reason #1 of why NOT to get a belly button ring when you're 18.  The holes now just look weird.  The belly button's a separate issue.  We're still an inny for now but with 12 more weeks to go I don't think the inny stands a chance.  Outtie here we come!

The baby now has a nickname thanks to Roxanne Link.  Her new name other than "Baby" is L-M-N-O-Pee  (as in the alphabet with No Pee at the end).  Get it?  Since I'm always peeing?  Okay I know, enough is enough already regarding my blatter!  But LMNO is moving like no other.  I had no idea babies moved this much.  It makes me laugh because I think back to all the conversations I've ever had with pregnant women in the past, and I now know they were never listening to a word I said.  You can't help but only think of the movement in your tummy when it's happening.  It's the weirdest feeling, a welcome distraction and hard to describe. 

Jessica asked me today what she feels like and I immediately said I can tell you what it doesn't feel like, butterfly kisses.  This is what all the websites and books tell you.  They say to look and feel for Butterfly kisses.  What the heck is a butterfly kiss?  Do butterflies make out?  And who even knows what that feels like?  And ewe!  

I'd say the first few times you think you feel something it feels similar to rubbing your tongue against the side of your mouth.  It's a smooth feeling back and forth.  Then as she grows the movements get more distinct, kinda like a muscle spasm in your leg or twitch in your arm.  LMNO's now at the point where when she kicks or fist pumps I can actually see my shirt move.  Now that's gotta be the weirdest yet coolest thing in the world. 

In regards to the "fist pump" analogy, no I do not think LMNO's going to be a future Guidette or a mini Snookie.  (Shutter)  I just can't figure out where her feet and hands are.  She's still laying on her back, kinda like in a hammock at this point.  So one minute it feels like she's kicking on the left then I immediately feel her kicking on the right.  Knowing that's not really possible I figure she's raising the roof and having an all out dance party in my uterus.

After telling my Mom this story she decided I'll be having a C-section.  I'm like Mom, calm down, we've got 12 weeks for her to get into position.  Of course now that I've said this I'm sure I jinxed it and I'll be stuck in major surgery.  Eek!  Fingers crossed she's wrong.   
   

Weekend at Desert Ridge

Mom had a condo at Desert Ridge for the week so McKenna and I met her up there for some fun in the sun on Wednesday afternoon.   Beautiful area, huge resort with 4 different pools.  We sat near the lazy river and had lunch while catching some rays.

 Pregnant people and inner tubes do not belong in the same sentence.  First of all getting in an out of a tube used to be a cake walk, no questions asked, you slip in and slip out.  Simple as that right?  Nope.  I had to get in my tube by literally walking to an area that had steps high enough for me to sit my booty into the tube and fall into the water.  Then once you sit back, gravity yanks your butt down squishing your stomach and makes your feet and legs go straight up to the sky.  Can we say awkward?  Then once you get settled you realize you have no control as to which way you're going and how fast.  So I was always 10 feet in front of McKenna.  Luckily, the good thing about the lazy river is half way around there's a bathroom, which I used every 20 minutes. 

I took a picture of the silver exit "help you get out of the water" poles because the image that comes to mind when thinking of me and my big belly attempting to pull myself out of the water  is similar to that of a Manatee trying to exit a lazy river at Desert Ridge.  Graphic yes I know, but true.     

After being by the pool Mom and I headed to Kierland to walk around the shops.  I had a craving for coconut shrimp so we made our way to Tommy Bahama's for appetizers and dessert.  Sangria and a virgin strawberry daiquiri for me to get us started.  Then Coconut shrimp & scallop sliders YUM-O!  And for dessert, this amazing concoction below.   Seriously the greatest thing I've ever tasted.  Oreo crust with a chocolate mouse filling, To Die For! 

27 Weeks and Counting...

 The crib is built and all put together!  Yeah!  Nicole and I got out the allen wrenches the other night and adjusted the bed to the correct height.  We should probably put Roxi in it to make sure it holds but I feel confident in our abilities that the bed won't break.  Fingers crossed. 

Sherwin Williams has the perfect paint for her room too!  It's called Awesome Violet.  How cute is that?  Her ceiling fan will be installed next week and then the painters will be in sometime after.  Lots happening this month!  The goal is for it all to be finished by the end of September. 

27 weeks marks the end of my 2nd trimester and the start of the 3rd.  I have a few things to look forward to in the next couple of weeks, such as, my final ultrasound, find out if I have gestational diabetes, and gain more weight.  Yipee!

At 27 weeks my baby is now the size of a Rutabaga.  What the heck is that?  I've also read that she's comparable to a cauliflower head as well as a 2.2lb - 15 inch cucumber.  That's one hell of a cucumber!  The things these websites come up with, I tell ya!  

Jess told me to come up with a nickname for the baby as she's tired of calling it baby.  So I text Justin to ask him his input.  He said "Bladder Puncher."  I'm like, well, I guess that's accurate but is there a way to make that sound cuter?  His reply, "Cute Bladder Puncher."  So basically I'm open to suggestions for nicknames at this point. 

  

I'm Over It

It's official, I'm over this whole being pregnant thing and I'm going to tell you why.  For instance, I looked in the mirror yesterday and had a stain on my belly.  Gross!  Am I really that big that my food can't even make it to my lap?  Speaking of lap, where'd it go?  Even my feet are gone!  In fact I'm amazed I'm able to put shoes on in the morning.  And socks!  Don't get me started on socks.  That's a whole 'nother ball game.  

I thought pregnant women were able to eat anything they wanted?  I've seriously been mislead.  I'm forced to plan very specifically what goes in my mouth and how much. If I over eat in the slightest I will pay for it.  I now have to resort to sitting up as straight as possible and be in absolute misery.  For the record, sitting up straight and being uncomfortable do not mix.  For my birthday dinner I made sure to eat yogurt and a banana the whole day just to make sure I was able to eat my veal parmigiana that night.  And boy did I eat the whole thing!  Mmmmm!  Love me some veal parm.  Of course that came at a very uncomfortable cost as well.  Most people would think, well that's a good thing though, just think of all the excess weight you won't gain now that you're limited.  So not true.  The scale continues to go up and I continue to desire to eat but have to remain hungry because there's now where else to put it.      

I'm fairly certain I'm in this funk due to my recent lack of sleep.  Everyone has told me time and time again that sleep is something of the past once the baby comes.  That I get.  What everyone failed to mention is that I will not be able to sleep 3 months prior to the baby as well.  Ugh!!!  

If  I'm lucky I'll get a solid 3 hours in just before I have to pee....Again.  Or even better be mid sleep and be thrown out of bed due to a massive leg cramp the size of Montana.  Justin woke up one night to find me stretching at the end of our bed.  And lets not forget my new favorite, The art of rolling over.  Yes, it's become sheer art to roll from one side of my body to the other.  At times I feel like I need a running start and a count down just to make it to the other side successfully.  So between peeing, crazy leg cramping, and rolling over my nights are anything but dedicated to sleep.  Something tells me this is only going to get worse. 

I know I will have nothing but pure joy at the end of this journey and there will be light at the end of the tunnel.  However, in the meantime I will continue to be hungry, complain and remain sleep deprived. 

On a happy note, Justin put together the crib!  Yeah!  It looks so pretty!  I'd show you a picture but I haven't put the bedding in yet so you get to see all the boxes it came instead.  Justin set the bed/mattress at the lowest setting and said, "Good luck getting the baby in and out of this."  I looked at him like, uh?  haven't you done this before?  You're supposed to put the mattress on the highest setting because the baby won't be able to stand in the beginning babe.  Anyway long story short due to my belly getting in the way I won't be able to reach until he fixes it so no pictures will be taken until I can show you the finished product.  Can't wait!  

Birthday Time!

 For the big 31st Birthday the girls and I went to As You Wish to paint Pottery and out to dinner after.  The days of going to Vegas for our yearly girls trips in August have come to an end.  Crazy Vegas Fun and being pregnant aren't exactly ideal.  I guess it's yet another sign of getting older.  Lame!

Justin took me to our favorite restaurant, The Salt Celler, on my actual birthday.  Crab legs never tasted so good!  I know I ate more than my 6oz's of crab meat but I didn't care.  It was so amazing!  He got me an HD video camera for my gift.  When I opened it I laughed and said, "a video camera?  We already have one."  He said, "I know but not this one!  It's compatible with iMovie, it's HD and look, on the box there's a Mom holding her baby up in to the sky.  See it's perfect for you!"  How can I argue with that?

Mom, McKenna and I went and had Veal Parmigina for our family birthday dinner.  YUM-O!  Between crab legs and Veal I was one happy birthday girl!  I asked for workout dvd's, a workout ball since Crockett ate my last one, and kettle weights.  Mom pulled through and I'm totally set for working off the extra lbs after the Baby is born.  I can't wait to be able to lift again.  I had a dream I was working out with Jillian Michael's the other night and she was actually being nice to me.  She used me as an example of how to complete the exercise correctly.  I woke up so happy!   Clearly I have working out on the brain. 

My belly continues to get bigger at 25 weeks.  She's kicking away and I've already had a few Braxton Hicks contractions.  I had to ask what they were because I had no idea.  I figured it was just the baby pushing against me.  Apparently not.  It's kinda weird, becaue your stomach gets rock solid in one spot for a few seconds and then it goes away.  I guess I get to look forward to my entire stomach contracting at once.  That will be interesting.  Lots to look forward to in the next couple of weeks!

My handsome man!  Had to show some love to my Crockett!  He's such a good boy! 

Although the other morning we were playing frisbee, and he decided out of all the grass and tree's in the yard he was going to pee on top of his frisbee.  It's not like a little splashed on the side of the frisbee either.  We're talking dead center just let it flow.  So gross!!  Luckily he has 3 to alternate between but still.  Ewe!!

Furniture's Here!

Oh boy!  Oh boy!  We ordered it and the next thing I know they're calling us to come pick it up!  So I told Justin to get a truck from work and to pick it up.  Apparently I forgot to mention how big and heavy it would be.   Whoops.  Some how he managed to carry both the dresser and the crib box off the truck and up the stairs by himself.  He was pretty pissed but I just laughed.  I mean, hello, I work with big, burly construction guys every day, I was planning on asking them for help.  Not my fault you have to be so darn stubborn and do it all yourself.  He was sore for a few days after...  Still laughing.... 

I was bored on my day off so I decided to start putting things together and mad a HUGE mess!  To my surprise the dresser came out of the box looking like this.  So all I had to do was shimmy it over to the wall and take off the protective layering.  It's so pretty!  

I picked up the mattress so once the crib is built the bed will be ready to put all of my purple sheets and cuteness on.  I can't wait!

The finished dresser.  We're still waiting on the night stand and Justin's in charge of putting the crib together.  Any bets as to when he'll get around to doing this?

Here sits the most comfortable glider in the world!  It's hard to see the color but it's a minty/sea foam green and the frame matches the other furniture. The chair also reclines and glides back and forth.  After putting it together I must've sat in it for 20 minutes rocking back and forth.  I figure it was good practice.  Only 16 more weeks to go!

Nesting...

They say every pregnant woman goes through it, Nesting.  A time when every pregnant woman gets a little crazy and decides to clean like a mad woman.  Well the nesting phase has officially begun for myself as well.  Justin knew it had started when he came down stairs one morning to see me on the kitchen floor oiling the kitchen cabinets.  I believe he called me crazy then.  Well, it's getting worse....

 First things first, the Baby's future linen closet in the guest bathroom.  This girl is going to need her own shelf.  Heck she'll probably need more than that but we're going to start with one.  I should've taken a before picture because this thing was intense.  I'm not sure where we accumulated so many sets of pillow cases and random sheets throughout the years but they're all gone now.  A huge trunk full to good will always does the trick!

With the Baby room furniture on it's way it's time to clean out her room and get it ready!  All of this is going!  Justin still has half a closet of clothes in her closet but I'm thinking he and the Baby can share for a little while longer.  The main reason is because I have literally dominated the other closets in the house with all of my clothes and refuse to go through them.  Hey, I might fit into them one day!  Hopefully this will teach her that Sharing is Caring, since Mom is clearly not a good roll model for sharing. 

Stay Tuned... September is my Let's DO This month.  Grout's getting cleaned, half the house will be repainted, I have a list of things I want done with the dry wall repair and an electrician.  Carpets cleaned, or do I just get new carpet?  Yes I'm border line nuts!  Not to forget the Baby's room getting painted and having a chair rail installed.  I also ordered new security door for the front door as well as the garage.  My birthday present to myself.  I'm so excited!

Ashlyn's Birthday

 I can't believe Lindsey's little girl is now 4 years old!  I love this picture with the birthday girl!  Lindsey and Ken celebrated with family and me (I love being part of the family) at Peter Piper Pizza.  The girls won lots of tickets and both picked out matching princess hats and rings.  Ashlyn's favorite pizza is black olive, a favorite of her Aunt Kristi's as well.  Did Lindsey teach this girl right or what?

 This is Ashlyn with her cousin, aka her BFF, Caitlin. 

Ashlyn LOVES cupcakes.  Her she is waiting patiently for us to sing and blow out her candle. 

Tea's in Town

 Tea's in town for the week!   This week flew by, and why wouldn't it?  Time always flies when you're having fun!  Tea and Emily absolutely dominated at Dave and Busters.  I've never seen anyone win as many tickets as these two girls.  They were both able to buy with their winnings 2 strobe lights, because what's life without a strobe light?  Another light fixture and bought me a laffy taffy.  That was almost 4000 tickets!   Yum-O!

Tea and Emily hit the 500 ticket and then the 1000 ticket machine!  I think we need to take these girls to Vegas!  They are super duper lucky!

Tea and Justin headed to Los Angeles for a quick 2 day trip.  Tea said she wanted to see the Hollywood sign and the Hollywood Stars Walk of Fame.  So naturally Justin bought two tickets after Dave and Busters and they were off!  Tea's riding in style in her Mustang Convertible.  Don't forget the sunscreen!

I love this picture.  Justin and I have the same picture from 6 years ago when we first started dating.  There's a great crepes breakfast place right around the corner from here that we just fell in love with.  Tea got to experience the amazingness as well.  And boy did they rub it in by sending me photo updates of their crepes and iced mocha's. 

Here she is getting to see the infamous Hollywood sign! 

All in all it sounds like they had a fabulous time.  They both came back sunburnt from riding around in the convertible and with huge smiles on their faces.  What more could you ask for?   

22 Weeks Today!

21 Weeks and Baby's Firsts...

 This Baby is already feeling the love! Look what Jess gave us to congratulate us on a Girl! So stinkin' cute with a little pink elephant! She's already so stylish!

Pam Stine sent these from California when we thought we were having a boy.  I still think she'll look amazing in this little blue onesie.  From what I hear you go through a few outfits a day so the more the merrier!  The books are so cute too.  I already read them to her.  Crockett and Roxi must've thought I was nuts reading to my belly!

21 Weeks

 The baby's future furniture from Buy Buy Baby!  Start saving your non-expired 20% coupons from Bed, Bath and Beyond.  I'll need them!  The trick is they can't be expired.  But 20% off is 20% off so thank you in advance for your coupons. 

 

This isn't a good picture but this is the baby's future bedding.  It's a light purple with black and white. 

I'm still playing with ideas for the paint but I'm liking this design except it would be purple, of course. Whether it'll be stencil at the top or bottom, or plain purple, or stripes who knows?  I seem to be changing my mind on an hourly basis so I'll keep you posted.  The best picture I'll be able to send will be when it's all finished.  So much to do and only 19 weeks to go!



20 Weeks at the Lake!

The question of the day....Do pregnant girls sink?  Not with this fabulous flotation device!  This is where I spent most of my day.  The water was perfect!  Not too hot, not too cold, just right!  My poor belly and the tops of my thighs got sun burnt.  I have to admit I look a little ridiculous with a bright red belly.  My Dr asked, "Are you sun burnt?"  Me: "Yep, just trying to speed up the cooking process"  I'm sure I've been nominated for Mother of the Year Award... 

Baby's first time on a boat!



It's a GIRL!!!

It's a GIRL!!!  And not a BOY!!!   Huh??  What???  I can't believe it's a GIRL!  We're actually having a little girl.  Bring on the ballet slippers, tap shoes, pinks and purples, ponytails, and extra cuteness! 

Measuring at 20 weeks and 2 days

  The ultra sound was so much fun.  The tech showed us the different parts of her brain, her spine, her kidneys, her liver, and her little baby ribs.  She's going to be perfect with 5 fingers and 5 toes!  Nicole and Mom joined me for the unveling of the sex of the baby.  We were all shocked!  And then we all teared up!  So much excitement and huh's??  all happened at once.  I'm so glad they were both there to share such an amazing experience with me! 

Mom and I went out to lunch after the appointment and all I could do was be on my phone googling baby girl rooms with purple themes.  I never felt so unprepared.  My plan (yes I'm a planner) was to purchase cribs and dressers that afternoon as well as begin the registery process.  The only problem was, everything was geared to a boy.  So it was back to the drawing board!

Lindsey joined Mom and I at Babies R Us to give me the 411 on everything baby.  I had no idea they needed so much stuff.  I felt like I was saying, "Why do they need that?"  and "4 different kinds of strollers are you nuts?" not to forget "9 bottles?  What are they gonna do with 9 bottles?" as well as  "What's this for again?"  Lindsey was right there to answer all of my questions and we got the basics accomplished.  It's still a work in progress but she wanted to make sure I had the bare necessities to survive once Baby comes home from the hospital.  Since Lindsey and my Mother will be moving in for a month I think we'll both survive.  Oh did I not tell you both that?  That's part of my plan as well ;).  But no, seriously, I'm not joking.

Apparently this is not the way to try out mattresses for your baby. 

Me:  This thing is junk I can feel everything!

Lindsey:  Okay, well your baby will weigh the size of my purse so this really isn't the way to try out a mattress.

Me:  Oh, I guess that makes sense.

Of course we had to get a picture because I looked pretty ridiculous!