Long time no post

Things have gotten realllllyyyy busy in these past few months. They have flown by!!

If you want to see some pictures and haven't already been there, check out my web baby shower that my sister is throwing me!

www.webbabyshower.com/amanda

Take a look at the pictures and enjoy the games!

Amanda

Inspiration

I was very much inspired on Sunday when I watched "The Big Give" reality show. For those of you that didn't see it, one of the contestants went to a hospital in the poorest section of Denver. The women there didn't have money to buy anything for their babies. Many took their babies home in towels and walked home because they didn't have enough money for the bus. As you can imagine, it broke my heart, as a soon to be mom.

That got me thinking about what I might be able to do to help others in a similar situation. I feel so blessed that my baby will have all the essentials and maybe more.

I researched some hospitals in the area, and found that the Children's Medical Center would be a great place to donate. I let those in charge of my baby showers know that I would be glad to accept donations of clothing and toys found on the wish list here in lieu of a shower gift (or in addition to -- it doesn't matter) : http://www.childrens.com/How_to_help/toys_infants_toddlers.cfm

I can't wait to make a delivery to the Children's Medical Center! It will bring so much joy to me and my little man!

Things I'm Looking Forward To Doing After the Baby Comes

Now, don't get my wrong. I'm still enjoying the pregnancy and have relatively few issues with it, but there are a few things that I miss being able to do since I've been pregnant. I decided to make a list, not to gripe, but rather to heighten the anticipation of things to come.

• Eating sushi -- I think my first meal will involve a big, fat Rainbow Roll!
• Sliding on the tile floor in my socks -- a la Tom Cruise in Risky Business (but I prefer to keep my pants on)
  
• A hot, sweaty, vinyasa yoga class
• A deep tissue (hurts so good) massage
  

As you can see, the list is pretty short. And for three items on the list, I have wonderful alternatives. While I miss getting deep massages to work out all the kinks in my shoulders, I may never have gone for a Watsu massage at the Crossings in Austin (Greg and I went there with his mom). It was a wonderful experience!! I highly recommend it to pregnant and non-pregnant individuals. It's a massage while you are being supported in a body temperature pool of water. The therapist uses shiatsu massage methods and you become so relaxed. You feel like a baby in the womb.

I'm also enjoying my pre-natal yoga and slower yoga classes so much. I am so grateful to be able to attend the classes and meet other pregnant ladies, like me.

There's always vegetable sushi too that keeps my sushi cravings in check.

But, there is no alternative for sock skating/sliding....Oh well! Small price to pay.

Maternity Photos!

I can't believe we're already into the last trimester! The time has flown by!

On Sunday, Greg and I went and had some maternity photos taken. It was our 5th wedding anniversary, so we thought this would be a great way to remember that special day. We had a lot of fun during the session! You can watch the slideshow here (if the slideshow doesn't load correctly, you might have to hit "Reload/Refresh" on your browser):

http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?adisp?a=489363&t=1&b=26

Pregnancy Brain

I had my worst pregnancy brain moment to date this afternoon! I went to SuperTarget and spent a little while browsing at things, as well as picking up the stuff on my list (toilet paper, cereal that was on mad sale, paper towels, etc.). I ran out of room in the cart, so I put the toilet paper under the cart. After I paid for everything, I went outside, loaded up my trunk and then put the cart into one off the carrels outside. I got in my car and drove home and started unloading the car. I immediately noticed something missing. I had left the toilet paper on the bottom of the cart in the parking lot!! Mind you, this was not some cheap, 4 roll package, but a jumbo package with 40 rolls that cost me $14. I finished unloading the car and drove back to the SuperTarget and found that it was still there where I left it!! Yay for me!

I'm hoping that will be the worst of the pregnancy/baby brain....We'll see!

Other than the pregnancy brain, I'm still feeling great! I feel so lucky to have so many people excited for the birth of this baby! This is truly a blessed little boy.

Me at 26 weeks 4 days

Here I am at 26 weeks and 4 days (you can always click to enlarge pictures on this blog). Still feeling great! I can even do a spin in our swing dance class (for the most part). Baby boy is getting much more active too. Greg got to feel the baby kick last week, and was hugely excited. He's been kicking quite a bit since then too.

Here's a picture of Allie exploring the dresser/changing table that Greg remodeled/refinished for the baby's room. It was his great, grandmother's dresser.

Allie

Allie used to be able to lay on my belly. She now has to be content with just sitting on my lap and resting her head on baby. Poor baby! I can't wait for the day when my baby boy kicks her in the head. =)