Bump!

A nice start to Conner's room... the canvases will be painted with the alphabet and animals, there will be big yellow stars on the ceiling, green trim around the baseboards and window with some window treatments, and some added storage. I cannot wait to get started!



Thank you to http://www.stinnettstudios.com/ for the photography!

Flippers for Fingers

So there are a few things that I have noticed during my second trimester. The largest one being overall clumsiness and puffiness. I find that my hands are so puffy that I have to literally accommodate for the extra space they take up when doing really anything. Eating has become more interesting. I spent Sunday morning breakfast with Dave's family and I was eating a bowl of fruit. I probably dropped half of it on the floor, on my lap, completely missed my mouth... not pretty. I had to kind of explain my decline in table manners because Dave's grandfather was bending over to pick up the pieces of fruit that had fallen on the floor and grandma sitting there just watching me eat... not sure if she thought it was funny or gross, probably a little of both. Another clumsy moment was brushing my teeth this morning, I looked down, and saw I had missed the toothbrush completely. There was this nice little pile of toothpaste sitting on my belly - thank goodness I was wearing a sweatshirt. So there is that... oh man. I kind of just have to laugh at myself and wait for the next awkward moment.

So we had a really nice night together yesterday after work. Dave came home and told me he had decided to do a job search beyond what he was already doing. Being he just graduated college last week, he is feeling more confidant and secure in his skills. He wants to get out there and show what he can do. We sat and watched a movie, 500 Days of Summer - AWESOME movie and great soundtrack - and he tweaked his resume. He decided to apply for a management job and so we worked on the application together. We made some delicious chicken sandwiches and Perry Mason dip (family recipe) sat and talked and enjoyed the evening. Conner was really active last night and papa got to feel his kicks. It was a perfect moment. He leaned over and put his hand on my bare belly, Conner kicked a few times and Dave at first thought it was me somehow and then realized it was his son and he smiled. We stayed like that until his arm fell asleep and it was awesome.

Making people

Today has been really good to me. I love being pregnant - especially when Conner reminds me that he is here. Those little movements still feel like flutters but they are getting stronger every day. Now that he has a name things are becoming more into focus. Before it was a abstract thought that we would have a child and that child was growing inside me, now it feels much more real. His nursery has a few things in it and Dave built the crib and the changing table. I am working on his paintings for his room and my sister gave me all her son's outgrown clothes. I have been asked about the baby shower and my pre-pregnancy jeans are so far from fitting I have hidden then out of sight. Dot and Daisy are even acting differently as if they are aware that there will be a monumental change in our home. I am going to be a mother and my husband a father. That sentence right there is so foreign yet so meaningful to me. Man I am crazy excited. Today I went and just stood in his room. Feeling him move and looking at his things really gave me a sense of pride, fear, and some serious tear action. I love him...

Pregnancy has been good to me. I was not enjoying the first three months, but it is over and I am on to the dare I say, fun stuff. I have quite the baby bump, and my whole appearance has changed. I see myself looking completely different than I did last summer. Besides the weight gain I just feel content and happy and I think that shows in my appearance. Don't get me wrong - there are some days I feel like I look like a female version of humpty dumpty, but it waxes and wanes. I had a lot of energy today which surprised me because this last week was exhausting. We hosted Christmas here this year and that was a ton of work. The cooking, cleaning, shopping, organizing, decorating, baking, baby making, all kicked my butt. I made it through unscathed and have some great memories for the bank. Today was just one of those days that I sat by myself and went through all of it in my mind with a smile on my face and subtle kicks to my bladder...

a few pieces of me

he loves me


a nice place to hang our hats

Introducing.... (dum da da duuuuuum).... ME!

Insert round of applause... picture me bowing. Thank you, thank you! So glad to be here!

OK, that was a little self indulgent of me but I couldn't help myself. This blogging thing is completely new to me so I am taking advantage of it a little here. I guess we should get to the important stuff, like what brought me to blogging and what I am all about. My sister in law has been blog savvy for quite awile now and has on many occations tried to include me in her successful blog, www.jenniferreviews.com. Needless to say I have always been too shy. We were talking last night and she shared with me information about mommyblogs. I was amazed that anyone could get out there and put in their two sense - so the next day BumpStop was created.

I mainly think it will be fun to share my more often than not humorous steps in marriage, pregnancy, and soon to be mommyhood. I have so much to say and talk about, but mostly I have a lot to be thankful for and that is another reason I want to share. I have a wonderful husband Dave who has been nothing but a pillar of stregth and honesty for me. We have a cozy home in a mid sized town in Wisconsin, we have two dogs, and a great group of people that we have managed to hang on to for quite awhile. We are not perfect but we have learned to laugh more than anything and accept who we are,(He taught me that, told ya he was great). We have our first son on the way. Our little man will be named Conner James. He will be the first little one for my husband's family and the second for mine. I have two wonderful sisters, one of which is a mom and has been by my side every step of the way through my pregnancy so far. I have a brother who is more talented than any other living person I have ever known and two great parents who have cleared much of the battlefield for me by laying down on the front lines. I love them.

My home life is great. I spend way too much money at IKEA but it makes for a pretty palace. I love color and texture and warm places and that is my house. Our home is modest and comfortable and where we love to be. Our dogs, two black labs Dot and Daisy sit at my feet as I write this panting quietly, most likely falling asleep to my tapping on the keyboard. They are the best friends I could ask for and they love me which is pretty cool.

All in all I have it pretty good. I hope that my writing will bring a smile to your face.

Peace,
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