Apr 13-19

Larry & Judy safely made it home from their trip to Panama. From stories and pictures, they really had a great time. Thanks to Bob & Cathy for allowing them the opportunity to travel with you!

It's hard to believe that another NBA season is winding down. I have worked another 41 home games this year with more to come. What a fun run it should be as we move forward toward our goal of an NBA Championship!

This weekend I had two GREAT baby showers! Thanks to all of my girl friends from elementary school for having a shower for me at a beautiful log cabin not far from W.L. (Tarez, please be sure to thank your Aunt & Uncle!). I can't even express how wonderful it was to have everyone together again. We need to do this more often, for sure. How hard it is though to coordinate everyone's crazy schedules. What an amazing surprise to have Mikey prepare such a special dinner for us (Great idea, Jenn!!!)!


I am so thankful that my Uncle Jim & Aunt Wendy were able to fly in from Houston to be a part of the weekend's activities. While Wendy was a huge help to my Mom in preparation for the baby shower, Jim enjoyed time with Brandon, Dad and Larry as the boys went to Cleveland to see a Playoff game! I am happy that Jim was able to see where I work at The Q and a great basketball game. It was wonderful to have Wendy at my shower. I am so happy that they made the trip!

Easter Weekend

It was another busy weekend for us. Let me look back...

Friday- I left work early for our follow-up Dr appt at the hospital with the Maternal Fetal Medicine team at Akron General. They were pleased with the "normal" amount of fluid in Beanie's kidney. One kidney is completely clear and the other they are even less concerned about now than they have been, which is great! Beanie weighs 5lbs 10oz and is still meazuring ahead of schedule. Though we are 32wks pregnant, Beanie's head is measuring as if we were 37-38wks. Other parts of the body too are growing ahead, but not as far ahead as the head. Belly is closer to 34-35wks. Heartbeat on Friday was 143. It is hard for us to believe that baby already weighs over 5lbs, but it is hard for me to believe too that we are getting so close to meeting our little one!!! Overall I don't feel like we are 32 weeks through this process. I feel like I have a lot longer to go than what I do. It's been so fast... we can't believe it! Brandon and I are both thinking that our "Big Baby" is a boy and will come at the end of May. I don't know that we will make it to the original due date of June 5... we'll see!

Saturday- We ran many of our traditional errands. I had to leave for work around noon and Brandon then enjoyed the sunny day while working in the yard.

Sunday- Wasn't our traditional Easter. Larry & Judy were away on a trip in Panama. Aleesa, Kevin, Grayson and Bryn went to the farm. My parents, Brandon and I went to Cleveland to watch as the Cavs took on the Celtics for what was expected to be one of the biggest games of the season! It was fun to watch, but the score wasn't close! Brandon got to experience some of the on court action that I get to experience during a game. Before the game we had him rebound for young kids on the court and at halftime he stood with a group of youngsters who were to high-five the Cavs as they came out of the locker room for warm-ups. Brandon did not high-five the players, but did enjoy the opportunity to see the team up close. He was most impressed with Z's size and of course LeBron's too. After the game we came home for a bit more of our traditional Easter dinner though it was later in the evening.

Another great weekend for us, but now I need some R&R....

Two Weeks Worth

I have submitted a plan to management at work requesting a few less hours in my week once baby arrives. It is in the hands of HR and they are doing all that needs to be done to make that work. I know that I have a couple of meetings still to work out a few more specifics but I hope that will all be done soon.

We have also found our babysitter! Angela and her mother are going to share the responsibilities of caring for Beanie after Brandon and I have both completed our periods of leave from work. Angela is a nurse and her husband Dom works with Brandon. They are great friends and have offered to help us. Her mom is retired and looking for a small job to do. They will be perfect for us!

Saturday, Mar 28 we went home to WL to spend time celebrating our March Birthday Boys, Brandon and Grayson. Of course we made sure to incorporate the 4-wheelers into the day. Brandon, Grayson, Kevin & Bryn all got their fix! We also had our Blair Family Easter dinner because we will all be in different directions that weekend. My Mom & Dad had a fun night out at The Q enjoying a concert starring Tommy James & the Shondells, Little Richard, Three Dog Night, Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone, and Jerry Butler. They then spent the night with us and had breakfast on Sunday before I then had to leave for work.

Thurs, April 2... Happy 32nd Wedding Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Sat, April 4... Happy Birthday Nicole, Nancy & Chelsie!
Sat was a busy busy day for me at work with an all day Girl Scout Event that I had coordinated. It was fun and successful, but a really long 11 hour day for an almost 8 mo pregnant woman! While I was busy at The Q, Brandon was enjoying much needed time with Dan, Jena, Tony, Angela, Byron and Shari and all of the little ones! A good time was had by all... good eats, cornhole, and many laughs.

Sun, April 5... Another day of work for me, but I made it as short as possible, only staying at the arena for exactly as long as needed and coming home right after. I was in a lot of pain, a result of Saturday I am sure. The rest of my day was spent on the couch with my feet up.

Today! Mon, April 6... OB appointment and ultrasound. Everything is still going well. The ultrasound shows a healthy baby and according to measurements...measuring at about 33 wks (we are only 31) and already weighing over 5 lbs! Today's heartbeat: 141. I've gained 26 lbs so far. The fluid in the kidney looks good...still there, but much better. We will follow up on that once more later this week. Dr. tells me that some of the pains that I have been experiencing yesterday and today are in fact contractions... how was I to know!?! I've never done this before!!!!!

29 weeks

Today's Dr. appt went well. Baby's heartbeat is a healthy 142. I've gained 24 lbs overall and my blood pressure is good too. Pretty uneventful...Back again in 2 weeks!

We are happy to report that we have found a Pediatrician's Office that we are happy with. As a part of Akron Children's Hospital, they have a strong team of doctors and great office hours. After Baby is born we will be able to meet with the multiple doctors and eventually find one that we click best with who will then become our primary Dr. One more thing is done from our list of things to do!

Still on the list... Babysitter, but we do feel that we are getting closer. I continue to determine my best plan of action for working after maternity leave. Once these two items are done Brandon and I will both feel a great sense of relief!

Mar 22

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRANDON!!!!!

I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART!

28 weeks and a Babymoon!

We're 28 weeks pregnant!

Brandon and I had thought about getting away, but not going far, just once more before Beanie arrives. On "Sweetest Day" we won a one night stay at a Bed & Breakfast near Amish Country! The package included roses, dinner, breakfast and a guaranteed evening of relaxation. Perfect!

Did I say, "Perfect?!?"

Late Saturday afternoon we were off for what we imagined to be a nice evening at a "resort" (as it's called on its brochure) tucked back in the country. Upon arrival, we found ourselves questioning the establishment but agreed that we would give it a fair shot. We met the Innkeeper's wife, she checked us in, gave us a tour and confirmed the menu for the romantic dinner that was to be served in our room. Luckily Brandon had suggested we rent a couple of movies to take with us. Had we not.... we would have had NOTHING to do! The hot tub rooms were unattractive. I was not going to put my legs in and there was no way Brandon was going to "relax" in them. Our room was weird. Lace curtains and a jacuzzi tub that was too dingy for comfort. We knew the linens had to be clean but at the same time... we wondered. Let's just say the "romance room" wasn't so romantic. We decided to watch a movie. The heat in our room was extremely high and unadjustable. We had our dinner. The room got hotter. We opened the window. Other guests were playing cards in the lobby right outside of our door and we felt trapped. We watched another movie. I got increasingly more uncomfortable with the heat, the room, the setting and everything about the place, as did Brandon. After our seccond movie was over at 11.... WE LEFT! We got home at about midnight and were so relieved to be back home to sleep in our own bed! So much for a great Babymoon! At least we have great memories of an attempted get away and can definitely laugh about it. To tell the story doesn't do it much justice. Maybe you just had to experience it, however we would never wish that anyone attend Yeowza Resorts!

Whew! Back Up & Running!

We've been without the internet now for about a week here at home and I haven't wanted to stay one minute longer at work to update our blog. The tech guy came today though so here I sit!

We've toured the hospital so we now know where we will be when our Little One decides he/she is ready to enter the world! No, we still have not opened the envelope to learn the sex of our baby.

We're still searching for a babysitter! I'm sure everyone has a story when it comes to interviewing prospective child care providers... and now we've got more than one! Our first hopeful is 41 yrs old going on 20. She is nice...she really is and she could work if we find no other. However, she is a bit out of our way and not in the most convenient of locations for us. Her famous "You know what I mean" after every sentence can be really annoying but funny all at the same time! Then there's a 65 year old woman who is a retired casino dealer. We were to meet her at Panera and upon what we assume was her arrival (40 minutes late), we left before even exchanging a "hello." After seeing her through the front glass we both agreed that there was no way she was going to watch our child! We're still not sure if it was her or not and we'll never know. Our most recent visit was with a family here in Green. She sounded great on the phone and we were hoping to hit the jackpot with this one! NOT THE CASE! She was so chubby that she did not get out of her La-Z-Boy recliner to greet us! Heaven for bid our child be choking on the other side of the room!! We saw her rec room in the basement after passing the open litter boxes.... ugh! The rec room was a disaster, not from children, but from her Christmas decorations and anything else you can imagine. Of course according to her husband, it's under construction! When we got in the car to leave, Brandon was speechless! He finally broke and told me he had "Four words.... NO WAY IN HELL!" Our search continues.

I attended a breastfeeding class. It was nice, but truly a lot of common sense. I'll just learn as I go and do the best I can. Let's hope I'm successful.

We're in our 27th week! I can't believe it. We're seeing the Dr now every two weeks! Monday's appointment went fine. The heartbeat is still a strong 157. My Glucose test was normal indicating that I am not at risk for Gestational Diabetes for this pregnancy. Here is a picture of me at 26 weeks. By far not the best of me, but will try to update a new photo next week.