Update

Dr appt today:
dilated: 2
effaced: 50%
membranes: stripped
excitement: 110%

Last Friday one of my sweet clients shot some maternity pics for me at almost 38 weeks. Here are just a few, not to bore you with the 180 on the disk. I'm so glad that I did them so he can see what I looked like right before I had him!



Joel dropped me off and when he picked me up we coaxed him to get in on the action too! He was thrilled ;)!

Bad Santa?

Dear Santa,
I was a really good girl all year long but I understand that this didn't fit in your sleigh.



There's always next year, right?

Nursery

Baby Boy O'Neill's nursery (corner of our office) is pretty much complete. We didn't paint the room because when we move we don't want to have to re-paint, so its pretty simple but I am happy with it. I told Joel this room has the most love in it because I spent so much time making things for it as it's mostly filled with do-it yourself projects.

Now we just need the baby to rest his little head in the crib!

December 21

A day to celebrate some of my favorite people!! Happy birthday!

"Amigo, Amigo for sun and love and joy" Chelsea


"That's Nasty" Lindsey


"Luggage in the Mediterranean" Cousin Emily


Good ole brother Josh- it's not his daughter's birthday, but she's too darn cute to crop out!

Winter Wonderland

Or something like that! This is the view outside my window today- not the best picture but you get the idea. We are getting pounded a big snow storm, coupled with extrememly strong winds that are causing huge drifts. All my clients cancelled today so I get to stay home bound and finish my projects before the babe comes. After all is said and done we should have a foot of new snow with 3-5 more inches coming Sunday.
Just thought you all might like a "taste of Wisconsin"!

Glory.

Me, in all my pregnancy glory:

36 Weeks

You would think that first time expectant parents would be completely ready for their child by now. I am sure all of you good parents were. But are we? No.

Do we have his crib? No. We still have a couple of weeks before it arrives, at best.
Do we have his car seat and stroller? Working on that too- have to pick it up once it comes in.
Do we have a dresser/changing station? Waiting to be painted by my betrothed.
Do we have diapers, wipes, bath supplies? No
Do we have a swing? I found one I wanted for a really good price but it sold out very quickly. Joel promised me he would find one SOON.
Do we have a bassinet/pack 'n play for him to sleep in the beginning? No
Do we have a name? No
Have we picked out a pediatrician? No, but hope to this week
Have we done a hospital tour? No, but its scheduled for next weekend

But...
Do we have a gross amount of cute clothes? of course
Do we have lots and lots of love to give? absolutely

Pretty sure if he makes an early debut(wishful thinking), everything will turn out just fine. He will still love us even if we don't have everything perfect the moment he comes home, right??
There are days when I surprise myself because I seem so calm with all that is left to do and then there are days(more frequent) I find myself freaking out. This has definitely been the fastest nine months of my life!

We cannot wait to meet our little guy!

And yes, that puny little tree on the table is our only tree this year and we love it. We want to make sure that if he arrives early he won't be intimidated by such a large object in his house.

Life is Precious

Tonight we were reminded just how precious life is. Joel's Grandmother passed away and although we are sad, we know she is much happier and in a better place. It's times like this that makes us even more grateful for eternal families. Until we meet again.

Death of us...

You know what gets me going more than anything else? Car problems!!!
I have never had issues with any cars until recently and now I am making up for the last 5 years of ease.
We just finished paying off my car in June and now of course, are having a myriad of problems. I won't bore you with the details, but we are so close to my extended warranty expiring- like 600 miles close. The dealership said they cannot fix it because the "problem" does not duplicate/manifest itself regularly- meaning the check engine light does not stay lit. They (the dealership) have seen the problem, but when the warranty guy came out to bid how much our warranty would cover, the car worked just fine. Oh, dont worry, the check engine light just blinks at me while driving and makes my car almost stall from 50-60mph. My car is an automatic... its NOT supposed to stall!
---RANT----
In the meantime, I have been driving Joel's car to spare my car of any extra miles. Yesterday I was picking up my mom and sister from the airport and wanted to meet them inside. I pulled up to the parking ticket distributor and rolled the drivers side window down to get a ticket. I went to roll it up and it was STUCK!! Yes, 30 degrees outside and the window is stuck! I immediately broke into tears. I tried to get it back up but it would not budge.
We made the drive home, window down and all, listening to blaring Christmas music and trying to talk over the frigid airflow.
Joel spent the rest of the night(4 hours) trying to fix it. Poor guy. He has been a trooper with my car and now I break his too?? Well, after disassembling the entire door, he was able to get the window up, but its still not working properly.

Moral of my RANT: be grateful for cars that work. One day you may not be so lucky!

Winter

Old Man Winter is breathing down our throats. We already have to scrape our windshields, we already have to wear tons of extra layers in our house just to stay warm, even with the heat on. We already have to wear our puffy coats with our scarfs and gloves to avoid becoming an ice sculpture the second we walk outside. But, this winter I am actually quite excited. Excited, you ask?

Yes, it means that in less than a week my family arrives to celebrate Thanksgiving, Milwaukee style. It means that in 6 weeks Santa comes to town. It means in 8 weeks our most precious gift arrives. It means in 14 weeks we get enjoy some surf and sun in Hawaii.

I have so much to look forward to, I don't even think I will mind the dark, dreary, hell hole we live in! However, I reserve the right to change my mind.

MUSIC

Being that it is the month of Thanksgiving, I thought I would share something for which I am grateful.

I am not a musically inclined person. I do not sing well (probably not even on key for that matter), I do not play any instruments, and I do not attempt to lead music. BUT, I love listening to music and it has had a profound affect on me my entire life. It has helped my testimony grow, it has taught me how to be a better person and how to love more, and has brought me comfort countless times. It has the ability to bring back memories- so much so that my senses are heightened when I hear familiar songs- and it reminds me of some very special times and experiences. It is all encompassing.

I am grateful for music and for my ears that allow me to hear.

Squeaky Clean!!

Yesterday was a busy day filled with two baby showers and a {real} shower of my own. I am very clean!!

Also, thank you for all the well wishes on my birthday!

Self Portrait

Not so smart

Today I got gas. No, not the pregnancy kind you are thinking of. I had to pay for this kind-- but only $2.07/gallon!

As I was placing the nozzle in my car, another car pulled up on the opposite side of me (using the same pump) and left his car on while he pumped his gas. It gets better-- he was smoking too! All I could think is "I am going to die! We're going to blow!" I got out of there as quickly as I could and kept looking in my rear view mirror, waiting for the explosion. It never happened.

BUT, come on now, is he really that dumb? Tell me you don't pump your gas with your car running while smoking a cigarrette! Isn't rule #1 to shut off your car and put out your smoke before pumping?

Congrats

My brother Ryan, his wife Angelica, and their daughter Layla welcomed the arrival of their sweet little boy Weston Bruce Hatch on Monday November 3.
7lbs 2oz
20.5 inches

Whirlwind Weekend

WARNING: TMI? You decide...
This past weekend I was able to go to Utah for my sisters' baptism...yes I have an 8 year old sister!

I was only there about 72 hours but it was full of events and surprises for my family and me.

Thursday:
I flew in Thursday night and my mom sent my little brother Tyler to baggage claim to pick up "new wheels" for a car Mike just bought in Chicago. He really did buy a car in Chicago, but I was the "new wheels". When he saw me he was super surprised and excited. It was fun way to start out the weekend.

Friday:
Awakened at 5:30 to go workout with my mom and her trainer. My mom is one tough cookie and looks better than she ever has...way to go mom!

We rushed home and I awakened Makenna to surprise her- she didn't know I was coming either. We got her dressed in her Halloween get-up and sent her off to school. My mom and I got ready and went to Kenna's school for her Halloween parade and classroom party. My mom is the room mom so she was in charge of the whole thing- it was so fun to see the kids in their costumes and feel the excitement of Halloween again.

After the party we went to an adorable baby store called Baby Babinski to look at cribs and such. Most cribs have an 8-12 week delivery wait-- I better get on it! Have you heard of pee-pee teepee's?? Hilarious!

We then hit up Cafe Rio for a late lunch--- so yummy!

We ran to Baby USA and JoAnn's Fabric to search for baby bedding to no avail. Why am I so picky??

It was getting late in the afternoon so we headed back home to get ready for trick-or-treaters. We stopped by my brother's house to see his cute daughter Berkleigh- she was a lady bug- and did some early trick-or-treating around her neighborhood.


The rest of the night we passed out candy and went to Target to get some last minute goods for Saturday.

Saturday:
9am - Makenna's soccer game
11am- Makenna's baptism open house*
4pm- Makenna's baptism
6pm- Makenna's piano recital

* My mom is so sneaky!! This was really a surprise baby shower for me. We got home from the soccer game and my mom was in a huge rush. I asked her several times what I could do to help and she kept saying, "Just go get ready and help me when you're done."
She came downstairs at 11:10 and told me my aunt and uncle were there to see me-- and to come up as soon as I could. I really wasn't even done getting ready but I threw clothes on and went upstairs. This is who I saw:

My high school girlfriends!!! I thought that was the extent of the surprise, but there was more. Around noon, ladies from my moms ward and neighborhood starting pouring in. I figured they were there for Makenna's open house, but they were all there for me! I was so overwhelmed that I was sweating bullets! More people kept coming -- my G-ma who I haven't seen in 4 years, all my aunts, old friends, in-laws--everyone!! My mom didn't leave anyone out!! Thank you to everyone who was part of the surprise!! The shower went until about 3:15, then we had to get ready for the baptism!
Kenna and me:


I am so glad I was able to share Kenna's special day with her. She couldn't stop giving me hugs and even made me a cute little tile that says "love". She was great at sharing the spotlight!

I flew out Sunday right after church and returned to my sweet hubby. He detailed my car and even did the laundry-- love him!!

Peter Peter

Yesterday the ever great hostess Karen threw a pumpkin themed party. We all brought something made from pumpkin- some more traditional than others- and ate to our hearts content. As I name them, you can think of Bubba from Forrest Gump when he was naming all the different types of shrimp:
pumpkin pie
pumpkin soup
pumpkin ice cream
pumpkin stuffing
pumpkin chili*
pumpkin spice fruit dip
pumpkin tortelini
pumpkin cake-thingy
pumpkin cheesecake

I am sure I am leaving a few things off, but it was all delish! I am normally not a huge pumpkin fan, but it was so fun to be festive and a great reason to get together with the ladies.
Thanks!

*I made the pumpkin chili, so I thought I would share the recipe:
1.5 lbs ground beef
1+ c. canned pumpkin - if you want it more "pumpkiny" add another 1/2 c.
2 cans kidney beans
1 large diced yellow onion
1.5 15 oz canned stewed tomatoes
1 T chili powder
1 T sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup diced mushrooms
1 bay leaf

Brown the meat and diced onions and place in a slow cooker. Add everything else (so technical, huh?) and turn the slow cooker on low for 2-3 hours stirring every 30minutes. SO EASY!! If you dont have a slow cooker, simmer it for an hour over the stove.

I finally caught it.

I have been chasing my runny nose for the past week. I'm so glad I finally caught it. Now Joel is chasing his. Poor guy. Atleast he can take something for his.

Surprise!

If you know me, you know that I love surprises(who doesn't?) but am usually pretty good at sensing they're coming and spoil them before they happen. Well, today I was completely taken for a ride! My sweet co-workers threw me a surprise baby shower. I have never had a surprise party before, so it was extra special and fun! Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures. Infact, I had just worked out (still sweaty) and was in the middle of my "annual review" when the manager came up and asked me to go in the back for a second. I walked in to the conference room- full of people, balloons, gifts and food-and still didn't know what was going on. It finally hit me that all this was for ME and I started bawling. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! We are so lucky to have such great friends here.

More to love

Without further ado, I present to you my belly! We've just entered the 3rd trimester and it's hard to believe that he can and will get much bigger! We get more excited as each day passes and feel very fortunate to be able to be his parents.

Nesting.

I never thought this would happen to me, but I am indeed, making my "nest". I keep thinking that if I am going to be home with the babe alot, I better like my home.

Just another project...


And, it was done on a budget!
apothecary jar:$12
frames: $1 each
letters: $1 each
candy corn: $4

Brutally. honest.

At work yesterday I was chatting with another female trainer and she asked how I was feeling.
I replied, "Feeling well, just chubby".
She, be the kind soul that she is, said, "You must feel worse than you look."
Then, not two seconds later a male trainer (who I havent seen in a couple of weeks) walked by, having no idea what we were saying and said, " Wow, you're getting BIG!"

Who would you believe? I go with the man. Brutal, but Honest.

Pics to come this weekend!

** After a few comments, I want to clarify that I am NOT feeling sorry for myself. I just wanted to point out how men and women handle similar situations so differently.

Just call me...

Becky Home-ecy!
I had never heard that term until today, and I laughed so hard. One of my clients called me that when she asked me what I did over the weekend and I told her I got a "craft bug". If you really know me, you'll know that name is far from the truth, but it was kind of fun and now I am thinking of what else I can do!

This is the old...what attracted me to this in the first place? I have no idea.

This is the new:
Just scrapbook paper and some decoupage. I thought it was going to be a little brighter, but for it will work for fall! I made another one with too and they're hung in our dining "area".

My hooter hider, aka nursing cover. I actually made this a couple of weeks ago, but never posted it. Of course, now that I finally have boobs I have to keep them covered!

I got this ledge as a wedding gift and never used it, but found it when I cleaned out our closets a month or so ago. Since the whole miscarriage thing(in Dec), we have a greater understanding and appreciation for the word FAITH in our home. Cliche as it is, I like it. I bought some wooden letters, painted them, and attached them to damask scrapbook paper. Viola. I hung this in our bedroom.

Kids say the darndest things

Last night at activity days(a group of 8-11 yr old girls from church) one of my sweet girls came up and started telling me how her mom is pregnant and how she is sooo excited to be a big sister. I mentioned that I will be having a baby too- as if its not completely obvious at this point! She went on to say," Oh, I thought you were pregnant, but most pregnant women I know have fat arms, so I wasnt sure."

Hmm, most pregnant women I know have big bellies! But fat arms, that's a first!

What's in a name?

Saw this on my friend Laurie's blog-
Check out your own name at: http://www.urbandictionary.com

1. whitney
A girl that you definitely wanna take home to ma and pa... Amazing girl, that you should never let go!
DAmn... that whitney girl is a keeeeeeeeper!
sexy bangin beautiful trophy wife stunning


2. whitney
Another word used for cocaine.
"I got bobby by the pound, whitney by the key"


3. whitney
crack cocaine; any substance that causes crazy/crack-like behavior
He on that whitney (he's on crack or he's acting like it)

Hmmm... I always thought it meant "from the white island" but these are WAY more interesting!

Fitness Friday

No, you are not dreaming- you are looking at a new fitness friday post...

This is UNBELIEVABLE! Please take the time to click on the link. This will hopefully answer your questions as to why you aren't losing weight/seeing changes JUST doing cardio.

Let me know what you think!

http://www.figureathlete.com/portal_includes/articles/figure2008/08-FIG076-training.html

Dear Legs,

Everyday I am amazed at how much you do for me and how you tirelessly carry me everywhere I need to go. You have been with me through thick and thin, taken my physical and verbal abuse, and yet you still stick by my side and keep on keepin' on. Most recently, you have had the extra burden of carrying more than your fair share- please dont give up on me! I need you and know we can conquer the burden together. Though you may grow weary(and puffy) by days end, each morning you find strength to start over, and for that I am most grateful.

Thank you for your unconditional love. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity and freedom to go where I want when I want. Thank you for staying strong when I am weak.

Much love,
Whitney

What do you do?

When you cant sleep? Its now 3:45 Saturday morning and I have been awake since 2:30. I don't have any reason why I cant sleep, I just cant. I had to get up to pee and then couldn't get comfortable, so here I am. What have I done? Played several games of solitaire, tried to wake up hubby so I had someone to talk to with loud sighs and tossing and turning-didn't work, checked out craigslist, realized I was starving (I am that way a lot these days) so I ate a bowl of cereal, and now I am catching up on my blogstalking. I would much rather be asleep. Any ideas?

Back to life, back to reality

I had a very busy last month- nothing stressful, just here and there before Baby O arrives! I traveled to Vegas to spend some time with MommaMum, to Portland to visit my Dadio, and to Seattle to watch the Cougars beat Washington(it was waytooclose)!

I forgot to take my camera to Vegas, but we spent lots of time at the pool, saw two shows, and were able to catch up with the Paris girls. Menopause the Musical was cute and Beatles LOVE was amazingly acrobatic. It was a short trip but well worth it to get away and enjoy the dry heat.

A week later we left for Portland. It was an over due trip, as the last time we were up there was 5 years ago! We went to a beautiful rose garden, a Japanese botanical garden, Cannon Beach, the Portland Temple, a few beautiful waterfalls, slept alot and ate way too much. It was so nice to catch up with my Dad and JoAnn.

Next up...Seattle! I love that city~gorgeous scenery, eclectic, yet down to earth.

Enjoy some pictures - we took over 300 but I got impatient(who me?) and just posted a few...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13982823@N00/sets/72157607359981556/

Blah Blah Blah

Update coming soon. Lately, I have been short on thoughts and words. I blame it on the baby.

outnumbered!!!

2:1
Boys win!

We are so excited!

it's aliiiiive!

that "thing" that is making my midsection(butt.boobs) larger is alive and kickin'! what a blessing.

4 Years

Happy Anniversary to us!


I'll save you from dry heaving and leave the mush for Joel, but I will let it be known I couldn't be happier with the man I married!

{Fair}ly Perfect

Last Saturday morning we headed down to the Wisconsin State Fair. It was a perfect day and we thoroughly enjoyed being part of true Wisconsin culture, minus us being drunk.
Notice almost everything is fried or on a stick---

The Cream Puff
 

Seriously?

 

Eat your veggies-

 

Gross

 

AKA Doughnuts???

 

WI Original...

 

Shade time

 

You are all liars

For telling me I will "feel beautiful/sexy/vibrant" while pregnant!

Come on now, you didn't feel pretty the whole time, did you?

Today

Is the day I will no longer look like this:

Okay, my roots arent THAT bad, but there is nothing that makes a girl feel better than having her roots painted!

For the very few who missed us...

We ate $1.50 cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory's 30th anniversary

We went to Warped Tour and felt better about our cankles after seeing these

We saw The Dark Knight

We looked for a new place to live

We dreamt, laughed and loved.