Decisions, Decisions

So here's something really deep for my faithful readers to ponder on this hot Friday afternoon. I really need your help and am hoping that you'll really put some thought into this for me, as I certainly don' want to make a rash decision that I'll regret later on. Please...I need your help.

So here's the life-altering decision I'm contemplating today: Should I cut my hair or leave it long? I mean really people - I'm sort of hung up on this. Here are my thoughts:

Short hair has lots of benefits. It's quicker to wash, WAY quicker to dry, and easy to style. I've had my hair short before and like the way it looks on me, so that's not too big of a gamble. The down sides are not being able to pull it back and out of my face as easily, and the fact that you pretty much have to wash & style it every day. Then there's the fact that you have to cut it more frequently to keep it looking decent. Also I feel like short hair makes me look younger...not sure if that's a pro or con at this point.

Demonstrating some short hair awhile back with a couple coworkers at Music in the Rockies

On the other hand, there's my long hair I have now. It also has it's benefits, the biggest of which is that I don't have to fix it and can simply pull it back and be done. That doesn't always look the greatest, but for days at home and running errands, I'm pretty ok with a pony tail. If I do take the time to fix it, I can usually make that last at least a couple days if not three (sorry if that grosses you out...my sister is worse. I just said that to make me feel better. And please keep in mind that curly hair is a different breed). The down sides: WAY more time involved when I actually do fix it, which equals me rarely fixing my hair.

When I actually fix it...most of the time, it's in a ponytail.

Also, there's the fact that Dan likes my hair long. I'm kind of leaving that out of the equation right now - too many other practical issues to think about here, folks.

So there's my dilemma. I'm just trying to think about what would be easiest once baby arrives...spend a long time one day and get a few days "wear" or quick and easy but every day?? Those of you that are moms, please, help me think through this. I need you.

Let me just end this by saying that I feel really shallow right now that I was able to write an entire post just on the thoughts rolling through my head about a silly haircut. No wonder I never get anything done.

Another Day...Another Appointment

It feels like I'm spending an awful lot of time in the Doctor's office these days. It's been every two weeks for about the past month, and I'll get to jump up to every week after my next appointment. Today was my 34-week check-up...how did I get here?! It seems like I was just there with butterflies (and a teeny-tiny embryo) in my stomach for my first appointment at 8 weeks:


And somehow months have whizzed by and this happened:

33 weeks (1 week ago)

I've been receiving weekly e-mail updates from a website called BabyCenter (I highly recommend it for any of you mothers or soon-to-be moms out there!), and part of this always includes a size comparison of my growing baby and some sort of produce. For example, here was the 8 week comparison (the quarter is just for a point of reference):

And 34 weeks:

And yes, I do feel like I'm carrying something the size of a melon around in my mid-section! I absolutely cannot WAIT to sleep on my stomach again.

Anyway, the appointment went well, the baby is measuring just right, her heart beat is strong, and she is already head-down. Now we just have to hope she stays that way for the next couple of weeks while she still has room to turn! Only about 6 more weeks to go (give or take of course) before we get to meet this baby girl...I can't hardly believe it.

Childbirth Education Class

Dan modeling the sympathy belly and demonstrating "football hold" we were taught this weekend. I think he's got this thing - perhaps I'll let him take it from here.

7 more weeks...and some catching up

It's hard to believe, but my due date is only 7 weeks away! Obviously our little Miss probably won't come on September 23 (unless she's like her momma), but it certainly gives us something to think about. I'm starting to feel like the end is in sight - which is both exciting and terrifying at the same time. I'm beginning to understand the whole "nesting" thing as I make my lists of things to do before baby. Why is it that list grows instead of shrinks? I just hope I have everything in place before she decides to make her grand appearance!

I'm also beginning to understand what it means to be in the final months & weeks of pregnancy. While I would NOT go back to the first trimester quesies, I am growing (literally) a bit more uncomfortable with each passing day. Things that were once so easy - like getting myself off the floor or even tying my shoes - are gradually becoming chores I avoid. I find myself grunting when I stoop to pick up the laundry or the innumerous objects seem to drop all the time, and 7 weeks sounds like forever away. It's a very strange phase as I feel that the time will never come and yet that it could come far too quickly.

Anyway, a few updates as I have been neglecting the blog lately -- I'll try and do this with pictures to keep it interesting :)

When I was home back in July, Grandpa AJ took me out to his workshop so I could see the progress on my glider rocker! Here's Uncle Kirby & Grandpa displaying their handiwork - I can't wait to see the finished product! How special to have such a keepsake built by these hands.

After Dad's graduation, I was able to make a trip up to Iowa with Mom, Dad, Kelsey & Brent (Dan had to get back to work). We had planned to spend a day or two at Lake Okaboji, but after landing at Aunt Linda's in Orange City, we just couldn't pull ourselves away and decided to spend our time there. I can't believe I didn't get a single picture with Aunt Linda & Uncle Alan, but it was so nice to get to spend some time with them. Their house will always be a sort of second home to me, especially after they saw me through 4 years of college! Thanks for still making it feel like home, Aunt Linda!

I also got to spend some long-awaited time with Grandma Schoon. It had been well over a year since I had been able to get up to Iowa to see her, once of the things that breaks my heart the most about living far away. I love these photos my sister took of Grandma with her 30th great-grandchild (I think...depending on when my cousin Jenny delivers!).

When I got home, Dan had planned a whole weekend for just the two of us, including a trip to the movies, some Coldstone icecream (just like one of our first dates!), and wonderful dinner at the Cheesecake Factory (thanks to a fabulous gift card), and a day at the zoo! We know our days as just "Dan & Kali" are dwindling quickly, so we are trying to take advantage of the time we do have now. What a wonderful weekend!

Dan's co-workers also surprised me with a baby shower last week! They were so very generous to do this for us, especially since Dan's last day there was on Friday (he started a new job on Monday! I'll write more about that soon). They had a whole lunch spread and this adorable cake topped with pink booties, and they showered us with many wonderful gifts for our baby girl - including some fabulous samples of baby sunscreen :-)

This past weekend, we were thrilled to have an old friend from Northwestern spend a couple days with us. Heather and Dan got to know each other their first couple years of college through several different ministries they were involved in, and now she is a full-time missionary in Afghanistan. We so admire the work she is doing there with women & children, and we were blessed just to hear some of her stories of what God is doing there. She also brought along some of her Afghan wardrobe - it even fits pregnant women!

I'll try and do better this month keeping up with the blog...as long as you all don't mind reading a lot of pregnancy updates as I have a feeling they might become more frequent!

Lovin it!

Anticipation

Sorry for the hiatus in blogging. I had a great trip home, which included my Dad's graduation, my first baby shower, great time with family, a trip to Orange City, quality time at Aunt Linda's, a couple of visits to Grandma Schoon's, and way too many hours in the car. I have some good pictures and more to tell, but I'll save that for another post.

In the meantime, Dan headed back to Nashville after the graduation & shower and was able to get the baby's room painted while I was gone. I LOVE how the color turned out (hard to see in these pics though)! Then, when I got home we put the crib together. I just love it! We put it up on Saturday, and Sunday morning I did a double take when I walked past the room...it's a little surreal to see a crib in my home.

I got some wonderful gifts at the shower last weekend and spent some time yesterday sorting through. It's finally beginning to sink in that we're really going to be bringing a baby home in just a couple of months, and seeing all of this "stuff" that goes along with it is pretty crazy! I know this just looks like a mess, but here are some of the adorable little outfits I was sorting through yesterday. This child is going to be well dressed, thanks to the generosity of our friends and family!

Then today I went with my neighbor to a local consignment sale. We arrived about 10 minutes after the doors opened and it was already a mad-house, but I managed to snag several great deals. I just couldn't resist a few little clothing items, so I brought home some adorable little overalls, a fleece lined sweater for the winter, and a little velour jogging suit - all for under $10!

I also found a Moses basket that she'll be able to sleep in for the first little while. We thought it would be handy to have her in our room at first, and for only $10, I won't feel bad about getting rid of this once she's in her crib.

I also found this backpack that will be great for when she's a little older - for hiking & traveling, etc. Dan had found one when we were registering that was quite expensive, so I think he'll be thrilled with this.

Then, when I got back home with my treasures, I had a wonderful surprise waiting for me on the front porch:

Our carseat & stroller!! Dan's generous Aunt, Uncle, & Grandma had this sent right to our doorstep. I can't wait to get it put together!

My house is quickly filling up with all of these items, and I am blown away by the generosity of our friends and family. A huge thank-you to all of you who came to my shower in Missouri and who continue to send gifts for this little girl. I can't wait for you all to meet her! And with all of these reminders sitting around, I'm realizing how close we're getting now. Only 2 more months and I'll get to see her sweet little face. Talk about anticipation.

Lessons from Dad

Okay, so I've been neglecting the blog a bit lately. Partly, I really don't have too much exciting news to report. But - I am headed home! Dan & I are headed out this afternoon as soon as he gets off work and will be on the steps of the State Capitol tomorrow morning for my Dad's graduation from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy. For those of you who don't know, he has been working his way through the Academy since January - and 6 months is a very long time when you're pushing your body to the limits and away from home to boot. I'm so proud of my Dad and can't wait to see him decked out in his new uniform in the morning. In honor of his graduation, I thought I'd bring you a few more pictures from the archives of dear old dad...

You've taught me many life lessons, Dad, and today I want to thank you for a few of those:

You taught me the value of a a good nap - which is especially important to me lately.

You taught me the importance of playing hard - which has allowed me to keep up with a rather energetic husband, and I can only suspect has prepared me a bit for parenthood.

You instilled in me a love for sports - particularly the Kansas City Royals and a #5 jersey.

You taught me about the value of teamwork - or at least making others feel like they're part of the team (sorry Kels).

You also tried your best to inspire my imagination & creativity...though I'm not sure how much of that ever "took".

You taught me the importance of bundling up "just in case"...oh wait, that was Mom. Never mind.
And last but certainly not least, you taught me many lessons about life...and death.

Thanks for all you've taught me over the years, Dad. While I certainly have a bit of my mother in me, there's no denying I'm your daughter, and nothing makes me more proud. Congratulations on your graduation! I love you!