Nursery part deux (as in Hot Shots part deux)

We finally got carpet. It was one of the most stressful experiences of my life. Derek tore up and hauled away the old carpet and moved all the furniture except the mattress and two under the bed storage drawers. We figured the carpet guy could move those pieces cuz we needed to sleep on the mattress and the drawers were too hard for one person to move. I don't like to play the pregnancy card too often but we figured nobody is going to say no to a pregnant lady, right? So the carpet guy shows up, (Derek is at work) looks at me with my 8 1/2 month pregnant belly and says, "are you going to move those? Cuz I can't touch it".

Yeah.

What a dick. He had to call his boss and tell him there was a "room full of furniture to move". I ended up shelling out another $75 for him to move the stuff. Oh you read that right, $75. Common decency anyone?? I add "carpet guy" my list.

What. a. dick.

But I like the carpet. Here are some pictures of what we have assembled so far.


There is still a lot of work to be done. It has been a long road even to get to this point so I am proud we have this done so far.

I have a funny story. The other day I woke up with a leg cramp about 5am when Derek was waking up for work. I didn't say anything to him, just made some moaning in pain noises until it went away then I went back to sleep. After we had both gotten home from work that day Derek asked me if I had slept okay last night. I told him about my charlie horse that morning. He said, " oh is that what that was. For a minute I started panicking because I thought you were going into labor. " He said he started thinking about all the stuff we still have to do and how he'd have to come home and get all the stuff done before he could bring the two of us home. Tee Hee. I got a kick out of that and it was really sweet too!!

That's all. I wanted to expel my disbelief in the carpet guy's assholeness. If anyone has a connection to the Russian mob I have a few names for you.

Love,

Mama Panda

A few news items, work with me here...

Hello all,
Derek and I are celebrating our three year wedding anniversary today! Yippee!!

And we still like each other.

It is crazy because when we got married we thought "maybe we'll have kids, but in like five years" Here we are expecting our baby boy next month. Who would have guessed?? Not I.

My cousin Sheri and her husband Dan celebrated their two year wedding anniversary on October 7Th.
Aren't they precious? Here is a picture of them on a giant inflatable penis while in Vegas for their joint bachelor/bachelorette party
And one of Sheri that I love taken on the same day
Her parents (my Aunt Sandra and Uncle John) also had their anniversary on October 7Th.

I don't have a picture of them on a giant inflatable penis...

Here is a picture of a onesie Derek's friend made for the baby. It fits perfectly on my stomach.
I know everyone says I am small but see! baby is just the right size!! If only he would arrive so we can show him off...Oh and for those that don't know the symbol is 45 adapter just like the one the Derek has as a tattoo on his shoulder.

Here is an interesting story. "Belly" is usually pretty chill but he REALLY reacted the other day. I was around a sudden, loud series of noises and baby jumped and curled up into a tight little ball in my stomach! I was like, "oh my God I think he is scared!" I sat down and and rubbed my belly a bit and he relaxed again. I have never felt him move like that though!!

I started a new job today at Fairview Corporate as an Intake Coordinator for Behavioral Services. It is exactly the job I wanted and I love it so far!! They are going to start my training then give me time off for "belly". Then I will return part-time just like we had planned. This is the only good thing that has happened lately (except for our little bundle of joy) so I am trying to enjoy it!! These are difficult times but there is good in this world!

The only other piece of news is that we are FINALLY getting carpet in the nursery and our bedroom next Wednesday so we can set the nursery up then. Who new it took so long to get carpet installed?? I have a baby shower in about a week that Melissa Mom and Liesl are throwing and I am looking forward to seeing family. I'll post pictures of the nursery and the shower when I have them.

Thanks for reading my blog! Sorry it was so long. I had so much to say!!

Love,
Mama Panda

Congratulations Laurie and Craig!!

Here is a picture of my former co-worker's new baby William Craig (being held by Sharon)
Isn't he beautiful? Laurie moved to Iowa to be near her parents but she drove up so station 77 could meet her new baby. Oh and she didn't tell anyone she was preggers until she was like 22 weeks!! I was like what!? We could have been talking baby stuff this whole time!! Then two weeks later she moved.

Here is a picture of the new mama (sitting) and Halima and Ellen the hosts of her baby shower.
William arrived on September 10 but he wasn't due until October 16Th. Gave everyone a little scare but he is doing wonderful now!! Laurie is the only person I knew that was having a boy like me so it was sad that she moved. It would have been nice to have someone to talk to about this stuff!! My other co-worker had her daughter, Emma Shay, a couple weeks ago but I haven't had a chance to meet her yet. I hear she is adorable too!!

I still have two months before my special little guy arrives and I am counting down!! I am officially in my 8Th month and am already trying to convince "belly" that he can arrive on his due date (Nov. 24Th).

There are so many changes going on in every one's life right now. People are moving, starting school, getting engaged, having babies, etc. It is tough to keep track of everyone. I hope everything is going well for you all!

Love,

Mama Panda

"belly" looks just like his dad

My clinic only does a twenty week ultrasound unless there is reason to believe more are needed. I am grateful that our boy is developing well but I wanted to see him again!A co-worker of mine is going to school to be an ultrasound tech at Argosy and told me that they need people to do ultrasounds for instructing the students. Long story short (too late) I went and here are some pics. He showed up really well on screen but the pictures printed dark...

I wanted to show this picture bc it is his chin, lips, and nose (along with his arm and hand covering his eyes). I couldn't believe how much he looks just like Derek! You may think I am crazy but I know it 's true. Never doubt a mommy!! I already see so much of Derek in our special little guy.

Here is his profile. Again sorry the pictures printed so dark!
These are his feet.
The teacher at this ultrasound and the tech at our twenty week ultrasound both commented that our baby is very photogenic. This may sound like a mommy bragging but I don't care!! Our baby was very cooperative and it was amazing to get to see him again. He only acted up once when he flipped and pushed his butt up in the air. He does this often to me which makes my stomach stick out in an odd bump just under my right ribcage. He is measuring a little bit large, just by four days. It isn't enough to change my due date but it makes me hope he will be born sooner rather than later. 10 months is soooo long to wait!

We decided to stop looking for houses because it was too frustrating. We will continue our search in 6 months and hopefully we will have better luck. The only good part of this decision is that we are going to start putting the nursery together soon! We have to replace the carpet first but hopefully I will have pictures of "belly's" room soon.

"Belly" is healthy and I am guessing pretty happy considering what I good boy he is being for me. We can't wait for him to arrive and have already bought him a Kenneth Cole Reaction sport coat and button down shirt and Ralph Lauren Polo layette.

What? They were on sale...



Love,

Mama Panda

Stupid houses

So FYI we didn't end up buying the house we had bid on. Boo. We continue to look but haven't found anything. We have broadened our search to townhouses cuz we have seen every house this side of the Mississippi. I was feeling so very sad last night so Derek bought me flowers.
He is a sweetheart, I know I am very lucky!! How women get through pregnancy without a supportive partner baffles me. It has been vital to have him with me the last few months. Next time you see Derek tell him he is a wonderful guy!
On a lighter note, look at how fat I am...
My belly button has officially popped out but our little "turkey" isn't done till around Thanksgiving. Everything continues to go well with the pregnancy, he seems very healthy. Yay!!

People ask a lot about his name. We have one picked out that we love but we are keeping it a secret. His middle name will be Derek though as it is tradition for the first born son to have the father's name as the middle name. As of now I can confirm he is "Belly" Derek Schille. So there you have it, at least you all know most of his name!

Thanks for reading my blog!

Love,

Mama Panda

Too much to do!!

Like many expectant mothers that just entered the third trimester (yippee!) I am now feeling overwhelmed at all that must be done. I have successfully been putting off writing my integration paper for grad school (thank you, no applause please) but my October 1st deadline in approaching fast. So I have roughly 30-40 more pages to write in the next few weeks. But there are other things to do like going to the state fair...
Derek and I had a bid on a house accepted, I am not one to count my chickens before they hatch (no pun intended) so any prayers or positive energy that can be sent our way will be appreciated. If nothing catastrophic happens we will be closing by the end of the month. So between finishing my paper and practicum field work I will also (hopefully) be moving. Oh yeah and having a baby. Am I nuts?! Yes, but fortunately I am trained to talk myself off a ledge if need be. I knew someday a master's in psychology would come in handy. Thank goodness we already have the two most essential baby items purchased
The gnome was Derek's 1st father's day gift I got for him last June with the hopes it will go in the garden of a new house. Derek bought this book that details all the ways our son can break his arm and blow things up.

Perfect.

As long as my son doesn't have any head trauma I am sure I'll be able to handle it. I think I may have my hands full but it will be a lot of fun!!

Love,

Mama Panda

Station 77

I am privileged to work with a really amazing group of people. Here are some pictures from a recent work party...

Sorry this is a lousy picture. It got dark outside and my camera was not on the right setting. Molly is a nurse I work with and she is due in mid September. Her baby was an "oops" and she told me that she was pregnant the day before I found out I was! Her daughter will be named Emma. What's that I hear?? Is it the sound of wedding bells in our future? Could she be my future in law?? only time will tell... Emma may have to compete with our friend's little Auriana who arrived in June...

This is Christina (red hair) and Dessia (blonde hair). I am kneeling bc they are both tiny and I am tall. (note to self : acquire more friends my height) Ssia will be my doula when I give birth so you'll see more pictures of her later I am sure.

This is a recently retired nurse that didn't know I was pregnant until she saw me. She was a bit surprised! She made me promise to take good care of him and "be a good girl".

I promise, Sharon, to do both the very best I can.

Love,

Mama Panda