35 weeks

We've had a lot going on lately, especially within the last few days.  Here's the update from the Warren Family:

1. Oreo is officially enrolled in puppy classes.  We had our first of six sessions last night.  Before the class, I would have told everyone he is a very well-behaved dog and knows lots of things....BUT.....we learned last night he has a long way to go. :-)  At last night's lesson we focused on the commands "watch me" and "sit." We also learned how to train using a clicker.  We walked around the store--so there were distractions--and practiced the commands. I would say he listened well about half the time.  Our homework is to practice for a little while each night.  Our trainer did tell us that these next 6 months of the puppy phase will be the most challenging.  So....tonight we took Oreo for a walk and for those of you who haven't heard us say it yet--Oreo does NOT like to go for walks.  I think he is the only dog we have ever seen who doesn't like to walk.  He gets so stubborn and fights the collar and will sit and face the opposite direction. We did not give in tonight and pick him up like we usually do.  After about 10-15 minutes we finally got him walking.  He did ok for the first few blocks, but then I think he wore himself out and just gave in to the walk.  The second half of the walk was really good.  Hopefully our training will teach us how to improve our walks. 

2. Pregnancy is still going well.  I am starting to get a little more tired and uncomfortable.  Last week I was sitting on the couch and I felt a kick in my ribs for the first time.  She squirms around a lot, too.  I find that I cannot sit in one place as long as I could before.  Last week at my 34 week appointment my doctor said she will not let me go past my due date because of the gestational diabetes (The doctor said we'd know more after the next couple of weeks).  This was only a day or so after I just put up the voting--so some of you may want to change your vote. :-)  My brother is really pushing for September 24th since that is his birthday.  I had my 35 week appointment yesterday.  I gained TWO POUNDS!!  Woo-hoo!  Baby's heart rate was good.  My belly, though, is measuring 2 weeks behind so instead of having an ultrasound at 37 weeks, I am scheduled to have one next week instead so they can check on baby.  I hope to get the pictures on a CD so we can upload them to the blog--it's been a while since ultrasound pictures.  It's crazy that we may be down to a month or less!!!

3. Sunday we had maternity pictures.  Our friend from high school is a very talented photographer and has a studio in Indianola.  We spent a few hours snapping pictures in town and at the park. We had a blast!!!  I don't know how she did it, but she even got Oreo to pose for some pictures, which is very difficult.  If you haven't already seen the pictures, 7 have been uploaded to Facebook.  You can check them out at: https://www.facebook.com/mlphotography.iowa.  Once the rest of the pictures are available, we will be able to log into the proofing site.  If any of you are wanting the password, let me know and I will send it to you once they are available. 

4. TJ is employed!!  Last week he was contacted about a temporary position within the Department of Residence as an assistant residence life coordinator.  He accepted the position, which will be approximately 20 hours a week, and started on Monday.  This is huge news and we are so excited and grateful for this opportunity. 

I think that is the update for now.  More pictures to come later this week or next.  Furniture is scheduled for delivery on Friday so we will have pictures of that as well as hopefully ultrasound pics next week.

A New Poll

Check out the new poll that was recently added to the blog.  Cast your vote. :-) 

2nd Baby Shower

TJ, Oreo, and I spent last weekend with our family out in Omaha.  TJ's sister (Erica) so graciously hosted a baby shower last Saturday for family members.  TJ's mom, two aunts, one cousin and her son, and then our niece and of course my sister-in law were there for the event (Erica's husband and son were there, too).  It was so nice to see everyone, especially since we hadn't seen half of the women since Christmas.  Erica planned a great shower.  She had her house decorated to match our nursery--lots of pinks and greens and butterflies.  It was super cute.  She had Qdoba catered for lunch (I had never had it before, but I really liked it!!) and then cupcakes made for dessert.  She also planned three games. We even got the guys to participate. :-)  We got some really nice items including some clothes, feeding supplies, diaper supplies, a portable sleeper, and toys/books.  We greatly appreciate everything we received and are so thankful everyone took the time to spend a few hours helping us celebrate the special occasion. 

Pictures from the shower:

Jace picked out a special toy for Baby--he thought she needed a football.  I told him it was perfect--she will love it! :-)  It will be very easy for her to grip.

 

Picture taken today: 33 weeks, 3 days--I am starting to feel big!!!

I had yet another visit to the doctor this week.  I was asked to come in during week 33 since they doctor wasn't happy with my sugar levels.  Unfortunately, there were still concerns when I went in on Monday, but I asked for a few extra days to monitor my numbers...and they have been much better!  So, fingers crossed that I receive good news when I check-in tomorrow with the office.  Everything looked good on Monday, though.  My belly was measuring right on 33 weeks.  Baby's heart rate was 158.  She is still measuring right on target for the due date.  She weighed 4lbs 13 oz, which is more than I weighed when I was born--CRAZY!!  TJ got to go with me to this appointment and we were both very excited to see her again!!  Unfortunately, we only have video of the movement so I am not able to upload any still ultrasound pics.  

 

TJ is working on wall art for Baby's room.  It's starting to look very nice!!!  It will be four canvases total.  It's a tree with a few flowers, butterflies, a sun, and birds.  More pictures to come once the canvases are complete.  They will be perfect.  We also got word today that our baby furniture has all arrived to the store. Hopefully it will be delivered within the next couple of weeks and we will get those pictures uploaded, too. 

Oreo's hair is starting to grow back!!  Yay!  He is doing well.  Over the last few weeks he has lost several teeth as well as discovered his voice.  He LOVES to bark at noises and people walking by.  Hopefully we can break this bad habit, but we have to admit--it is kinda cute! He has done very well with potty training, too.  He's only had a few accidents, and none of them are too recent.  He didn't have any accidents when we were in Omaha, either, or when we were traveling in the car.  TJ and I are very impressed because the last two evenings, Oreo actually went and sat in front of the door to indicate that he needed to go outside.  We just need to get a bell so we can hear him.  

That's all for now.  We may have another post next week after our appointment.

1st Baby Shower

This past Saturday we had our first baby shower.  My friend, Lexsea (who I have known since we were about 3), and her mom, Cheryl, hosted a shower in our hometown.  They planned a very memorable and enjoyable afternoon.  The guests showed up around 2 and were served delicious food--ice cream sundaes (Lex made sure to have both cookie toppings and mint chip ice cream!), some salsa/cream cheese tortilla roll ups, nuts, fresh fruit in an adorable sculpture (see pic below), and pink lemonade.  The table centerpieces were buckets of water with tutus surrounding them.  These will be great for dress up and pictures later on!  Lexsea then instructed everyone that in place of typical shower games, there would be an arts and crafts session in which everyone could make a headband for Baby Warren.  We got some pretty cute ones!  It was so nice to see everyone!!!  There were local family and friends as well as others who traveled quite the distance to attend.  I very much appreciated everyone taking the time to attend the shower! It was such a wonderful afternoon!

31 weeks, 6 days

 

Our most recent family picture.  The sun was a little bright...

 

We struggled to get Oreo to look at the camera.

Another shot of the belly at 31 weeks, 6 days

 

Getting in some "Hudson Time".  His mom planned the shower.  He also helped (see later picture)

 

Tutu table decor!

All of the supplies to make headbands

The AWESOME fruit basket that Cheryl put together.  SUPER CUTE!

YUMMY!!

 

Everyone hard at work

Hudson served as our model when needed.  Cheryl gave this super hero outfit to Baby Warren. TJ was pumped about this!  Hudson has a matching outfit, too.

Pictures of some of the guests:

 

My mom is always zooming in on the bump!

 Thank you Cheryl, Lexsea and Hudson!  You did an awesome job with the shower and I am so grateful for the time and effort you put into making the afternoon so special!