A walk under the full moon

I walked with my friend Claire last night. We walked 3 miles in the full moon - much more than I've been walking! Claire is due TODAY. Her aunt is in town to help with the baby... actually her aunt told her NOT to walk with me because my baby would be a bad influence on her baby!

Grant already has a reputation... but he's not living up to it! Claire started having contractions early this morning and is already at the hospital. I'm so happy for her... but still very jealous!

A quick update from my last doctor's appointment (which was Tuesday, the 26th). I am still just 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced... the same that I've been at my last 3 appointments! I had a non-stress test to make sure Grant was good to cook a little longer. He passed with flying colors! It was a really great experience. I was hooked up to a monitor for 30 minutes, with a "trigger" to press every time I felt movement. It was really great to just sit and listen to Grant for such an extended period of time!!

If Grant doesn't come beforehand, I will go back to the doctor June 1, and be induced on June 2. My doctor tried to schedule my inducement for June 1, but I guess the hospital was full because they came back with June 2nd. June 2nd is a special day for our family - my brother Brian was born on June 2. Brian would have been 32 this year. I never got to meet him. He passed away at the age of 2 (before I was born). So if Grant decides to stay that long, I will count it a blessing for my mom and I to share the birth day of our baby boys.

No baby yet

Grant is already proving how smart he is. He's decided that I'm cooler than the rest of the world and wants to hang out with me for awhile longer.

Last weekend, I made brownies and wrote "Grant" in chocolate syrup on the top. I told Derek that Grant would come in time to see his name on the brownies, but he didn't! There are no more brownies. :(
This weekend, we upped our spicy food intake and took several walks. I even swam a few laps in the pool (after I finished the Blizzard from DQ)! Lola was worn out, but I guess Grant is still comfy. In between, our spicy meals and walks, we relaxed and kicked our feet up - it was great! I got out Christmas stockings and am almost done with my first one... the same one that I started in NOVEMBER!!!

Everyone keeps checking on me to see if I'm in labor yet. Nothing yet! I do have everyone in a phone tree, so please do check your email (or text) from strange addresses if they refer to me or Grant in the subject line!

Baby update!

Well, the update is…. that there IS no update. I’ve been to the doctor twice since my last post (went earlier today and last week). I’ve held steady at 1+ cm (not yet 2 cm) and 50% effaced. My blood pressure is good. I somehow managed to gain 4 pounds since my visit 1 week ago, but I blame that on Derek’s fajitas last night – they were GREAT! Doc was not concerned with the weight gain since it’s been 5 pounds over 3 weeks. I definitely feel the added weight though!

The “plan” is to go in Tuesday for a non-stress test, and if everything looks good and baby makes no progress, I’ll be induced the following week. June 2 seems like a VERY long time from now, and I really doubt this baby will wait that long, but it’s good to have a backup plan!

It has become habit now for me, when I make a phone call, to start the call with “No baby yet”. My mom and sis insist on this, and this policy proved itself useful yesterday when I called my mom – got out those 3 words, then my phone died!

My cousin Mary and I are due at the same time. She’s scheduled to be induced on the 24th or 25th, so unless Grant gets a move on, Baby Holloway will be the 46th baby to wear the Bereuter Baby Gown and Grant will be the 47th. I’m not sure if I’ve posted on this before, but my grandma (Gaumy) made a gown that all 12 of her babies came home from the hospital in. It has been passed around and been a great family tradition ever since then. My mom brought me and all my siblings home in it, and I have several other cousins (and all my nephews) that wore it. Mary and I have been racing. If she goes first, I hope she has a boy – Grant can’t lose the first race of his life to a GIRL!

Now is probably a good time to make a public disclaimer: When Derek and I DO have our baby, we will be exhausted, overwhelmed, and doing our VERY best to make the most of our time together. Thus, we will NOT be making dozens of calls, texts, facebook updates, etc. One of my fears is that my phone-happy husband will spend too much time on the phone instead of with his wife and son in the first few hours, days and weeks. He is supposed to have a network set up so that he makes (at most) 2 calls. I will probably break his phone if he's getting calls (and doesn't turn it off), and most of you know how great I am with my cell. Just an FYI to everyone - I know you love and support us, but we will be with our #1 priority, Baby Grant! We will certainly welcome visitors, but we will be staying off of our phones!

Part 2 of the disclaimer applies to the time immediately after I give birth - I know the family will be anxious to meet our little guy. However, if you come to the hospital too early, you could be in the waiting room awhile! Grant needs to eat, poop, and get settled in before he is (or I am) ready for visitors. This applies to everyone - grandmas and grandpas too! The only exception is my mom - because - there are times in life when a girl just needs her mom! Plus she's the only one that could handle my hormonal self. No offense to any of you, but I care more about my child's emotions and well-being than I do yours. You will meet him, but if you want to rush to get to the hospital, please pack your patience! Ok - disclaimers are done!

Back to the fajitas – 1 of the advantages of living in Texas is having your friendly neighborhood carniceria (where no one speaks English)! Derek picked up some pre-marinated beef fajita meet, guacamole and pico de gallo last night - I was in heaven. Derek thought the guacamole was too spicy, but Grant enjoyed it! It will probably take us the entire week to work through all that meat. Mmmmmm – meat.

TMI?! 37 week update

I had my 37 week appointment today. The sono tech estimated Grant at 6 pounds, 9 ounces… but my doctor says the techs tend to measure bigger than the babies actually are (although she gave me a range of accuracy at + or – 1 pound). Babies typically grow ½ pound per week between now and delivery.

I had gained no weight since last week. My total weight gain during pregnancy is 27 pounds. My blood pressure is good – holding steady at 100/60 for the past 2 weeks. My doctor also “checked” me for the first time. She said I was 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. I asked if that means anything at all (for predicting birth), and she said not really. I could go at any moment or be weeks away.

My sis sent me flowers for Mother's Day!! They came to my office - definitely brightened my day!! Carrie proves over and over again why she is my favorite sis!

Happy Birthday!!

Last night I got together with my girlfriends (the “Six Degrees” girls) for some quality girl time. It was great! Lolly had made a colorful cake for Erin’s birthday. She also shared some of her sewing creations – further enticing me (I’ve been wanting a sewing machine). We lit the candles on the cake, sang “Happy Birthday” and Erin blew out the candles. It got me thinking… when was the last time you had a cake with candles?!

For me, it was probably when I was 15 or so. After that, I spent summers in L.A. or would rather be at dance than with the family celebrating! The last time I baked a cake for a birthday, it was for Derek’s 27th. There were no candles, and I don’t remember whether or not I even sang “Happy Birthday” to him. I DO remember that I made the icing from scratch using my Aunt Sandy’s recipe and he loved it!!

Birthday cake is one of the things I’m looking forward to with a child. I’ve never been that “into” birthdays, but Derek is. I want to celebrate all of our birthdays (mine, Derek’s and [obviously] Grant’s) so that Grant will always have that tradition.

Happy Birthday Erin!!

Maternity photo shoot

This past weekend, Derek and I had a maternity shoot down at my parents' place. Our fabulous photographer is also my good friend Rachel's husband, Jesse. He'll be documenting Grant's first year, which I'm thrilled about! He posted a sneak peek of the photo shoot, and now I can't wait to see the rest!!

Experts

I walked into Chipotle today behind 3 other women.

Girl #1 – Oh my goodness! Do you need to go ahead of us? You look like you could go at any time. Are you on your way to the hospital?

Me – (I was breathing normally, walking normally and I think even smiling) No, no. I’m fine. Ya’ll go ahead.

Girl #1 – How much longer do you have?

Me – 3 weeks. (Someone in the hall at work earlier asked me how much longer and when I answered 3 weeks and 2 days, it made for too much conversation, so I trimmed off the 2 days).

Girls #1, 2, & 3 – (mixed responses, all basically the same) – You’re not going to make it another 3 weeks.

Girl #2 – Is it just one?

Me – Yes, yes…. Just one (wishing conversation would stop – wtf?!? I should have told her I was having a litter of 8).

Girl #3 – It’s a boy isn’t it?

Me – Yes.

Girl #3 – I knew it. Looks like you’ve got a basketball underneath there. (Turns to other girls and talks about some relative of hers who carried just like me with a boy, making her an expert on the matter).
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As I get further along, I’m encountering lots of experts. Everyone wants to tell me about how they were carrying, or how they went into labor, or about their ex-brother-in-law’s sister’s kid. I pretend to care. The plant lady at work shared with me how her doctor turned around her breach daughter during birth (in far too much detail for someone I see 2 minutes each week), and how it was so terrible that she didn't have any more kids. Strangers sure do tell strange stories. I’m hoping to meet fewer “experts” in these last few weeks – not sure I can keep up the charade.

Nursery!!!

We are pretty much done with the nursery now! This weekend, I made the wall hangings out of the bumper pads that came with the bedding. I put the glass behind the fabric, so Grant will be able to feel the animals. Also this weekend, Gloria and I (read: Gloria) made the valance. Last night, we put up the mirrors and dots. I still want to make a cover for the laundry basket out of the same material as the valance, but that's the only thing left in there!

Pool Remodel

Last summer we had a serious infestation of black algae in our pool. Given the fact that we had just given it an acid bath and treated for the black algae, and it still came back, we figured it was time to replaster. Plus I doubt it had ever been replastered, and the pool is at least 15 years old.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

The pool is now ready for me to swim some laps and get back in shape after Grant gets here... and we adjust to parenthood!

Things I haven't killed yet...

Cross your fingers that this list grows. You see, I inherited my mom's brown thumb. There was a rose bush in our backyard when we moved in. Although I have no idea what I'm doing, I've managed to keep it alive for 2 years. I clipped some of the roses today so we can enjoy them inside. Several more will be opening soon too!