Baby Shower

I finally get around to post about my BEAUTIFUL baby shower. The shower was November 20th back in Indiana. Our moms and sisters hosted the shower and let me tell you everything was just perfect. Also my moms' cousin came from Chicago on Thursday night to help. I am such a lucky girl.... and feel so loved!  We held the shower at our home church. It was where my bridal shower was and where we got married so it was the perfect spot to hold the baby shower!
 My sister and mom did all the decorations. They went over and beyond for little Amelia and I. Mom did a cravings table and my sister got the cake from a local bakery. The cake was so stinkin cute... it did get a little damaged in the 4 hour car ride but it was still really tasty! Deric's mom and sister did all the food. It was so yummy! No one walked away from the shower hungry. They made some of my favorite foods and salads so I was a happy girl! Kim, Deric's sister, did the games. They were so much fun. We played "Price is Right", "Baby Bingo" and then everyone had to cut a string that they think equals how big my belly is. This game was fun and cracked me up on how long some people's strings were. One of my friends had her string longer than what I stood tall with HEALS!!  Our niece, Nikhol, was pretty much spot on. Her string was just an 1\2  inch too long! I was amazed she got that close!
Here are a bunch of photos of the day. Beware of picture overload!  I have taken some with our new camera, other pictures came from my MIL's camera and my  little Cannon Elph .

tissue paper flowers that Jen hung for the ceiling 

Banner for the gift table and will be hung in nursery

Amelia's initials.. in a flower pot... how cute!

The centerpieces on all the tables

Advice cards and seed packets for favors

yummy red-velvet cake

cravings table

teddy bear we used for the cloth diaper race

diaper race

Amelia is already so loved and spoiled! This girl got so much that we had to have my mom ship some of  the baby gifts to us! Amelia is going to be one well dressed little girl that is for sure! There was NO way that all her stuff, our luggage, and two pups were going to fit in our SUV! I am looking forward to getting her stuff in her room. I have a lot of work to do before my shower here AR.

I want to Thank everyone again who came to the shower. I can't wait for you all to meet our little princess! And to our Moms and Sisters,
You ladies are amazing and did over and beyond. We are so blessed to have you and thankful everyday for everything you do for us. I can't thank you enough for throwing me a wonderful baby shower that I will never forget. I can't wait to see you all in just a few more weeks and I know Amelia can't wait to meet her GiGi,
 G-ma Linda, and her Aunties!! I am lucky I have good role models to look up to and know I will get great advice from you all. Love you all!!
P.S. I can't believe I didn't get a picture with all of you together with me. It makes me so mad and sad.I did manage to get one with my mom but that is it! We needed a list of pictures to check off the list! I am surprised Jen didn't have a list for that! LOL

this was after the shower and during tear down... so it isn't the best pic... sad

~ I failed to do a 31 week and 32 week post because we were gone. I will post a 32 week post because I am just now 32 wk 2 days pregnant now.

Yes.... Cloth Diapers

Yesterday when I got home I was as excited as a little kid on Christmas morning. Our first set of cloth diapers came in the mail! I have been researching cloth diapers for some time. Even before I got pregnant. I went to a class about them with a friend last year and was completely sold! She was going to use them and knew I was interested so I tagged along with her to the class.
I know what ya'll are thinking.... "You say you will use them but it wont last". Well I WILL prove you wrong! I am all about  and determined on using cloth diapers. I know it will take extra work and I will have days I wish I didn't have to clean pooped out of diapers. But I know this as well as I know my own name. Babies are  HARD work  and everything in our lives are about to change. I will be cleaning pooped up even with disposable diapers!  Babies have the ability of pooping up their backs and out the sides of diapers. If I start out with using cloth diapers we won't know any difference. It is what I want for my baby. I am up for the extra work... it is worth it for my baby. Not only are cloth diapers environmental  they are so stinking CUTE!!

I have registered for a few different brands of cloth diapers. This one is a GroVia. I like the idea of these the best because of their hybrid system and they will grow with baby. They have a pad almost looks like a maxi pad that fits in the shell. So when you are out and about shopping and need to change baby's diaper you don't have to carry a soiled diaper around. Just flush the pad its that easy! I ordered this set which included 6 shells, 12 cloth pads, hybrid pads, and stain stick. I found a good deal on Costco.com.  Deric's co-worker used her member card to buy them for us, because we are not members.It was so nice of her to do that.
I am sure I won't be able to use them right away so I will use disposable. I have read that the cloth diapers are a bit big on tiny newborns. And I know that new baby's poop is like black tar and I won't be cleaning those out of my cloth diapers!
      
 I am also planning on breastfeeding and making my own baby food. Call me Crazy, but  I am set on doing all of these. I know my plans won't always go my way but I am going to try my hardest. I even thought of the idea if Amelia won't breastfeed  I will just pump and bottle feed her. I have read many times and it is good to bottle feed a couple bottles a day. So it will be easy adjustment for Amelia when I go to work. I am sure her daddy and grandmas will be more than happy to sit and feed her once in awhile!

I am thankful to have such a wonderful husband who I know is on board with me even with all of my "crazy" ideas. He will be a big help.... I have no doubt. I know and ready for the extra work but I know I  won't be doing this alone. Let me know if you use cloth diapers. I would love you tips and ideas of what other type of cloth diapers you love. I have been doing a lot of reading but it would be nice to hear some ideas from my readers.

30 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 30 Weeks... crazy I only have 10 wks left!

Size of baby: almost 3 pounds and 15.7 inches long... think cabbage head

Total Weight Gain/Loss: gained about 10 pounds at my last apt
Maternity Clothes: maternity pants but normal tops so far
Gender: GIRL!!!! Amelia Evelyn Jayne
Movement: Yes, she is a mover! It is fun to watch my belly bounce
Sleep: a lot better these days. the cooler nights help

Symptoms: some back pain and discomfort throughout the day
What I miss: being comfortable...
Cravings: Homemade chex mix

Best Moment this week: We purchased a new camera and it came this week!!

What I am looking forward to: my first baby shower is Saturday!! Our moms and sisters are hosting it. I can't wait to see all our family!!

~ I wasn't planning on taking a photo today because I didn't get "ready" for the day. But Deric and I wanted to test out the new camera. We are working on getting used to it indoors and out. To be honest.... I haven't snapped one picture! So don't mind my lack of make-up and my hair!
I have been enjoying my lazy Sunday. We got up and I made blueberry pancakes for breakfast. Then I had to run to the supply house. I realized yesterday while at work I was out of many things. So I threw a hat on and ran to the store before they closed. I am just thankful they are opened on Sundays! I stopped by Subway to grab us lunch on my way home. Deric took the dogs for a couple of walks today but I stayed in. I should have gotten out to walk. I am thinking a bath and my "Baby Wise" book are calling my name!

29 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 29Weeks

Size of baby: two and half pounds and 15 inches long

Total Weight Gain/Loss: gained about 10 pounds
Maternity Clothes: maternity pants but normal tops so far
Gender: GIRL!!!! Amelia Evelyn Jayne
Movement: Yes, she is a mover! It is fun to watch my belly bounce
Sleep: pretty good as long as I am not hot.... leg cramps still

Symptoms: having some back pain... but I see a chiropractor and it has helped
What I miss: being comfortable... I can't seem to get comfy this week
Cravings: peppermint ice cream.... I have been wanting it for weeks!

Best Moment this week: Deric went and picked up our chair & he found me some peppermint ice cream. I have been looking for it for weeks!

What I am looking forward to: this may sound silly but I can't wait to get my hair done on Tuesday! I have been needing it for the past week and a half! I won't look like a "shag- a- muffin" anymore!

* Thanks to Deric for spending time and making my blog over! I was ready for a change and he is much better at sitting down and changing it up than what I am!! I think it is fun change!!! THANKS BABE your the best!

a little update

I have been really bad about only posting on just my weekly picture and pregnancy updates. I can't believe I didn't even post about our wedding anniversary! Deric and I celebrated 4 years of marriage on Oct. 21. We didn't do anything to exciting but it was nice to just be together. The 21st landed on a Thursday (my day off) so I lounged around most of the day. Deric got home a little early so we could head out to dinner. We decided on dinner at Shogun. Well Deric let me decide.... he is super sweet. I have been wanting Shogun for awhile and Deric loves sushi so I knew he wouldn't mind going. We talked about going somewhere for the weekend but we never made plans. It was really nice though not having anything to do. I took the whole weekend off just in case we made a short trip somewhere. I was pretty lazy the whole weekend but I think I needed it!  I am kinda upset I didn't take a picture of us on our anniversary. I can't believe I didn't take one.
 In other Bidwell  news we have gotten a lot of Amelia's room done. I am so happy with the way everything is looking. The only thing I am getting nervous is about getting her bedding on time. I know the lady that is doing it will pull through... I just want to see it now! I don't know why it bothers me because I know she won't be in the crib for a while but I still want it before Amelia arrives!
 Deric picked up our rocking chair yesterday. We put it in our room because I know we will keep our princess in our room for a while.  It is so nice a comfy...I am sure I will be sitting in the chair for many hours!  The best thing is that if we wanted to we can move it out to our living room and it will match our decor.

We are heading home for Thanksgiving this year and I couldn't be more excited. We have never been home for Thanksgiving... my parents has come to us every year that we have been married. This year will be spending the day with the Bidwell's which will be nice. We have such a busy holiday week. Our moms and sisters are hosting our baby shower on the 20th. Then we have another family party and Thanksgiving! I know I am going to be worn out but it will be worth it. I can't wait to see some family that we haven't seen in forever.
Time is moving by so fast for me. I can't believe that Sunday I will be doing my 29 week post. We are getting closer and closer to the big day. I am ready to see our baby girl but I don't think it has hit me we have maybe 11 weeks left!!! At our last doctors appointment we still don't know if we will have a c-section or not. We should know by 36 weeks. It all depends on how big Amelia gets.