sorry about that...

Sorry.... I forgot to do a post last night before I fell asleep. I did nothing yesterday. As I mentioned on Wednesday, I have not been feeling well. I was instructed to call my uni doctor on Friday morning to get some test results and talk about how things are going. So, around 10:30 am I called, but she was with a patient. She is usually very good about calling me... even calling me while she was on Christmas vacation to let me know I had gestational diabetes... BUT yesterday she never called me back. I called her office 3 times, each time I left a message with the front desk (they do not let you leave voice mail). Apparently she was stuck with an emergency patient in the morning that threw off her day. When I called around 2:30 they told me that she still had not taken a lunch... so I understand that she was having a busy day.

The annoying thing for me was all the waiting around. I did not want to shower, in case she called... so I just sat around all day waiting. It was a long day. Tyler's friends took him out to lunch... so it seemed like an extra long day!

I have a hard time telling if I am sick because I am 9 months pregnant and my body is tired... or if I am just plain old sick and need medical attention. If we call the hospital and they have us come in... it is around 1,000 bucks if they admit you. So I was really looking forward to talking with Dr. Salmon so that she could advise me. Tyler and I decided that we would monitor things... make sure that Parker was moving lots and if things got worse we would go call the hospital. Tyler rubbed my back and kept an eye on Parker and I feel asleep early.

sheepy

Today, I made a sheepy! If you remember, my mother sent me a felting kit for my birthday. I love little projects like this, but always have a hard time getting them started. I worry that I am going to mess it up... but today, I was brave and gave it a go! It turned out fairly good. It got easier as I went along and learned some tricks... so next time it should be even better! And now that I know how to do it, I can make all sorts of little critters!

39 weeks!

We went to see Dr. Salmon today. She seemed just as disappointed as we are that we have not had Parker yet. The little dude is still facing down, but does not appear to be engaged. I have not been feeling very well... sick to my stomach along with persistent headaches are making the weeks go by way too slowly. All will be forgotten when Parker is snuggled in my arms, I am sure. Until then... I will do my best to wait patiently.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Here is a picture of us on St. Patrick's Day last year. We had given up meat for lent, but planned a wonderful Irish meal... minus the corned beef. From what I remember, it was a very splendid day! 

This year, we are obviously laying low... mostly hoping to welcome our little boy into the world... but it looks like that is not going to happen. We did spot some corned beef at the grocery store, but it did not look the same and cost a pretty penny... so we passed. They are having some Irish celebrations in the city today, tonight, and this weekend, but I am really not feeling up to making the long trek. 

Next year we promise to have a grand celebration! I am sure every holiday we celebrate once we get home will be celebrated with more enthusiasm and American spirit than any of you could imagine! 

wooden toys!

We love wooden toys, especially blocks and hope that Parker does as well! Some of my favorite childhood memories were made playing blocks with my brother Sean. Here are some fun sets...

still waiting...

We had a fairly uneventful weekend of waiting. I am starting to feel really pregnant... everything I do takes so much energy. We went grocery shopping on Saturday and to the uni library on Sunday to work on homework. I wish I had more to say, but I don't. Let's all hope that this week is VERY eventful!

our parenting philosophy

Tyler and I have done a lot of talking about what kind of parents we want to be. Of course this has been a topic on the table since before we got married... but now it is for real! We know that adjustments will need to be made with the age and the amount of children we have... but one thing will remain as the foundation of our parenting philosophy, we want to always remain best friends (me and Tyler that is)! We believe that if we can make our marriage as strong as possible and work together as a team... our children will benefit in so many ways!

Our first step is to remain the people we are after Parker is born. We do not want to become mom and papa... we want to be momma Kelly and Papa Tyler... people have told us that we should make sure to still go on dates and do the things we love as a couple. One of our favorite date nights include picking out a new recipe, going to Rosauers (the nicest grocery store in Bozeman), shopping for the ingredients together, getting something fancy or different to drink, and then coming home, pumping the tunes and cooking together! We also love going on walks, especially in the Fall when the weather is so crisp and the leaves are just right for crunching! We love that our favorite things to do as a couple can easily be done as a family.

Just as we have always had equal roles as husband and wife as far as cooking, cleaning, etc., we will continue to have equal roles as parents. I do not want to feel like I am babysitting nor should Tyler feel like he is babysitting... we will each have Parker half days! He will grow to rely on both of us as strong supports in his life. We are both so excited to start this new adventure...

a nice walk...

The weather the last few days has been so lovely, although the locals think winter has come early! Tonight we took advantage by going on a nice long walk. We took our camera and captured a few shots...

38 weeks!

still pregnant... just waiting for our little buddy to arrive!

Tyler had me get up to show off the belly...

 

thanks mom!

My mom sent me two beautiful hospital gowns! She also sent a little irish outfit for our little irish dude. Maybe he will be around to wear it on St. Patrick's day! You're the best, thanks! 

a date...

Tyler took me on a date friday night! We got all dressed up and walked to the movie theater! We did not eat dinner because I wanted to have a little cheat and treat myself to some popcorn! We saw Dear John, which just opened here this weekend. We got to sit in the balcony which made it seem extra special. It was a good move, I was surprised that I did not cry since my emotions are on high alert. The only downside to the evening was the weather. It was pouring rain on our way... so by the time we made the 30 minute walk, we had very soggy feet. 

Happy Birthday (tomorrow) Ryan!

Ryan is the best because:

• When I was little he always told me I was an amazing artist and encouraged me whenever he had a chance! 
• He loves the outdoors 
• I canNOT think of a time in my life when I felt hurt by him 
• He always bragged to his friends and was so proud of me when I became a vegetarian... and he never once gave me a hard time when I started eating meat 10 years later. 
• When I was 6 or maybe 8, he bought us matching shirts 
• He has the best grin 
• He use to collect rocks... I am not sure if he still does...
• He loves being an uncle and is very excited for his first nephew to be born! 
• He taught me how to flare my nostrils 
• He inspired me to take woods class in high school... and it ended up being my favorite class!

fun find!

We found these plates... and think they would be so much fun! Yes, we know that Parker will not need them for at least a year... and yes, we know that you should not teach playing with your food... but come on they look like so much fun! 

37 weeks!

The time is finally here! Parker is full term and ready to come out whenever he feels like it! Everything is looking good... they said "my blood work is by-the-book perfect", "bub is as healthy and average as anyone could have hoped" and "they will see us back at the hospital on Parker's birthday"! So now it is just a waiting game...

We have had quite a few people asking us how his birthday will work... with the time change. His birthday will be the day he is born. If he is born on March 17th at 2:20 pm in Australia, then that will be what is on his birth certificate and will remain his birthday. If you are still confused, think of it this way: if a baby is born in California at 11:00 pm on March 1st.... that is the baby's birthday (March 1st) even if he has grandparents who live in New York where the time is 2:00 am on March 2nd.

Welcome Fall!

Tyler and I were confused towards the end of February because people kept talking about the last weekend of summer and the beginning of fall. Now, we know that the vernal equinox marks the beginning of spring (and fall in the southern hemisphere) and that does not happen until March 20th this year. Well, it turns out Australia does not care about trivial things like synchronizing the seasons the earth's tilt... they just mark the season whenever they feel like it. So, March 1st was the official beginning of fall. It did cool down and has been raining a bit... so we have to give them that. Really, we could care less about the season or the weather... we are just so thankful that it is finally March! March is here and now we can have our baby!!!

accent chairs...

One thing I am really wishing I had was a chair. Yes, these chairs are super cute... but I would settle for any chair to rock my newborn in. When we get home I will be welcomed with the loving squeak of Edna... our favorite family chair.

Edna!

sometimes we just cannot help ourselves!

We got Parker some goodies...

This is Roopert and Joey! 

this is another bonds outfit...

this was on sale...

and this was the perfect find... a soft green, orange, and gray blanket with ROBOTS! 

spiders

Here it is... it was the size of a mouse and it was outside our door. It must be spider season because we have seen human-sized spider webs all over the place the last few weeks. I hate to say it but this was not the first mouse-sized spider we have seen...

While walking to church last weekend we saw this one... white body and striped legs... It is huge! I can confidently say that its body is the size of a mouse... including the legs it is as big as a hamster! 

and a month ago we saw a bunch of ants dragging a huge dead spider down the side walk. The thing we do not understand is... how can people not have window screens! 

Thank you Caleigh and Grandpa

My mom and dad sent us a package in the mail this week! It was such a nice surprise and we are so thankful! 

And, a little something for me! Two nursing tanks that fit perfectly and look oh so cute! 

Thanks again, you are the best!