Photographing your bebe

So, Brian suggested we start looking for someone who specializes in baby photography so we can get newborn pics when he arrives since his announcement is designed and I've started the digital scrapbook. I'm not at all interested in showing my stretch marked belly to no one so maternity shots are out of the question. I think if I were a little skinnier, I'd do it but I'm having body image issues as of late.

This is when I wish I was a good photographer because the pricing is all over the place. Mind you, this comes when I'm not working and we're down to Brian's part time/freelance income but we have been saving. I'm just looking for someone to shoot the photos and give us a disc because most will go in the scrapbook and a surprise for the grandparents. I have inquired with some of the ppl I know but if you have an suggestions in Bend, let me know in the comments or email me at shanlee at gmail dot com.

p.s. I bought some unisom and slept like a baby. I feel awesome today and can conquer the world

More whining

I've been trying to stay positive and thankful today but I am so sleep deprived it's not funny. I just want to cry it's that bad. Please tell me when I'm sleep deprived with a baby that I can stay focused but I'm having a problem focusing today. Lie if you have to, please.

sigh.

I'm breaking down and buying unisom tonight.

I have surrogate moms

Everyone lately has been asking when my mom was coming out. It's been mostly work ppl that don't know my mom isn't alive and if you catch me on a good day, I'm fine with it but if you catch me on a crazy hormonal day, I'm not.

The thing is, I know I'm gonna be OK. My friend Shawn is coming to stay with me the first. This should be a whole lotta fun considering her baby will be 9 months old. Then a few weeks later, my Arizona in-laws will be stopping by and then a few weeks after that my dad. Yes, my mother-in-law lives her but that relationship, well, is a little estranged for my husband. We haven't seen her in months and then last week I ran into her at the hospital. She was shocked at how huge I've gotten. Do I think she'll be much help? Can't say but she hasn't been much in the 4 years I've lived her so I don't see anything starting now.

BUT, this leads me to all of those who are mothers in my life. For example, Joey, my lovely boss. She doesn't have kids (just a crazy Britney Spaniel) and she feels like a mom to me. She even asked if she could be the baby's surrogate grandma. She stepped in and threw me a shower! She's always willing to listen and always willing to give hugs when needed.

I have others, like Shawn's mom, Jane. She even offered to come over from Salem and help out.

And there are my aunts, though they live in the midwest, always want to know what's going on and have plenty of advice to offer.

I'm fortunate to also have a lot of Bend friends and out of state friends to offer advice and arms to hold baby.

So, the point of this post -- I'm going to be fine. I just have to stop breaking down in tears when ppl ask me.

Gotta love hormones. 9 more weeks to go!!!

Much better spirits

I had a little scare when I went to my regular OB appointment on Thursday. My blood pressure was elevated. The doctor was a tad worried so she made me sit around and have it retaken 20 mins later. It ended up being fine so after that, I didn't go back to work -- I went home and prepared for my three day weekend with my husband to Eastern Oregon. I figured I deserved that much. Last week was a bit rough, with the hormones and all so the thought of a relaxing 4.5 hour drive to Baker City was all I could think about -- oh and the pizza my friends were going to feed us.

I must say, our good friends spoiled us this weekend. Pizza, salads, appetizers, subs, stromboili - I think I will have to eat vegetables and fruit for the next week to make it for it. And since there wasn't much to do in the winter in Baker City (there is skiing but I can't do that right now), Brian and I just relaxed at this lovely spot called "The Cat in the Hat."

We took our time getting home. Something about car rides lately make me so thirsty.

Nine weeks to go. I'm excited and nervous all at once!