Maddy's Room

Well...since I was busy announcing that she was a SHE yesterday, I missed my new Wednesday post...Wordless Wednesday. It's a day I'm going to post nothing more than a picture of something I thinking about or doing.

So here's my belated Wordless Wednesday - the pattern for the nursery set I ordered for Maddy. We have the crib set and will register for the rest of the pieces we want. Our furniture is white, not oak - but you'll get the idea.

Sugar n' Spice

and all things nice...

That's what little

GIRLS

are made of!!!

And we're excited....can you tell?!?! We found out just last week at our 18 week ultrasound that we're definately having a little girl....and we're just tickled pink! I'm already daydreaming about Mom and Daughter spa days, her first crush, painting our nails, baking cookies together...

And Jim just loves little girls. You'd think he'd wanted a boy...but he really adores little girls, even though he still calls her "Junior" when we're talking about her.

And I call her Maddy....because we've decided on a name, Madelyn Lorene

Little Miss Maddy wasn't very cooperative in the picture taking department at our ultrasound. It seems that already, much like her mother, she has quite the mind of her own. The US tech got all of the measurements needed and saw all of the parts she needed to see - the heart is in the right spot, the stomach is in the right spot, the bladder, the liver, etc, she is definitely a girl, the bones are forming correctly and Maddy apparently has amazing muscle tone (this had Jim VERY excited....I'm debating baby gear, he's debating Maddy's first sport). Maddy is a kicker...she was kicking and jumping around the entire time, which is why the actual picture taking was tough. The one and only shot of her face, she looks rather like an alian....but I know that'll change ;)

I'm definately starting to feel her move - it's got to be more than tummy troubles....and it's too low for tummy troubles anyway. That always excites me - and makes me feel a little strange, to know there's someone in there, for real!!!!

When we told Jordan, we asked her if she would babysit for us...and she said, "Yeah, maybe when she's 10..." at which point I reminded the kiddo that she'd be 30 when Maddy was 10. How's that for an age gap!!??!

She measured in at 8 inches and 10 ounces, which is about the size of a tomato:

That's what I've got going on in there.... SURREAL!!!

And now, without further ado....the latest pictures:

Windy Days

Well…Seems I’ve not been a very good blogger. We’ve been back for two weeks now and I have yet to post a single thing. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride these last couple of weeks – there’s much to catch you up on (but by the color of my blog…you might be able to guess my news…).

First – vacations!

My husband and I headed down to Hood River, Oregon for our annual windsurfing extravaganza. Obviously this time, there was no windsurfing for me…just sitting on the beach and reading…and then sleeping…then reading some more…and sleeping some more….and eating. When I felt like it, at least. While we were there, we were visited by my Mom – out from Idaho over the weekend, bringing lots of good treats to much!

We were also joined the same weekend by some good family friends. They have four kids, a girl and three boys, and it was a ton of fun to watch them play in the water and attempt to learn to windsurf. They are such a close knit, loving family – they provide a wonderful example for Jim and I to follow and I love spending time with the entire clan.

While we were there, we got to visit quite a bit with Jim’s good and long time friend, Roger. Roger is headed off to nursing school in Portland this fall, but was still living in Hood River during our visit. He joined us for dinner several nights and took us to one of my new favorite spots on a non-windy day – Lost Lake.

Jim and I were not able to hike as much as we have before– mainly because I just couldn’t keep up this time. It was a bit too much for both baby and I. We did go on three of the easier hikes (other people would call them walks, I call them hikes!)

Punchbowl Falls

Last year, when we visited Punchbowl, it started raining not long after we got there…so we were not able to truly enjoy the falls the way it should be enjoyed, by lounging and viewing and swimming. I take that back, Jim swam, I did not. I’m not much into water that freezes my brain. This year, the weather was perfect. While it may have been more crowded, it was certainly a lovely day to sit and gaze at the falls. And I learned that the pregnancy books are right, pregnant skin really does burn much more easily than non-pregnant skin.

Wachella Falls

Wachella falls is a beautiful hike – not far back in, about 1.5 miles with very little (to a hiker, not a walker) elevation gain. We were again rewarded with wonderful mists and beautiful views. And my dear husband, who is learning so much about photography, actually carried his tripod in so he could get good shots, including ones of us both. Although, I think we may want to invest in a remote clicker, because he’s going to trip over a root one of these days, rushing to the shot.

Lost Lake

When the wind is not up in Hood River, one must find alternative things to do…which is not hard in such a beautiful area. When the wind is not up, the heat is…so one day, we chose to escape to Lost Lake. Lost Lake is located on the north side of Mt. Hood, at an elevation of 3140…it takes about an hour from Hood River, the last 20 minutes of which are winding mountain roads. There is a campground and resort on the lake –and were it closer to Hood River, I’d be tempted for us to stay there! It was high enough up that the temperature was not so high. The lake itself is pretty ice cold, but I was at least able to wade and not be too uncomfortable. The boys (Jim and Roger) swam…but then again, they’re crazy windsurfers. If I’d had a wet suit on, maybe…
We did learn that the best way to enjoy Lost Lake would be tied off on a floaty – lazing the day about. We did sit in the water and then back on the shore, then back to the water…but a floaty would have been *perfect*. That's me below, rocking the 16 week baby bump.

We also learned that bug spray is a good thing at Lost Lake. We didn’t have any, and later in the evening were paying the price. But that’s one small downside to these beautiful views of the lake and the mountain.

Rainbow Trail


No trip would be complete without us doing a little something crazy…so we followed the Rainbow Trail. Just north of town, there is a huge, huge pipe that was put in place (and replaced at various times as technology changed from wood to steel) to bring water down from the mountain, to the town. The pipe runs along the Hood River, up the valley toward Mt. Hood. It runs roughly parallel to the Mt. Hood Railway and Highway 35. Rumor had it that certain portions of the pipe had small cracks and when the sun was shining, the water that sprayed out in fine mist was like a garden of rainbows.

Unfortunately, our guide book was old enough to not take into account the huge storms three winters ago that wiped out huge stretches of the pipeline, knocking them completely into the river below and rendering the pipes useless. To our knowledge, the pipes will not be replaced as newer technology is now providing water to the region.

However, the pipes provide a great hiking path back up the river and into the woods – and puts one in awe, thinking of the hard and dangerous work it must have been to put these pipes into place nearly 100 years ago. Those pioneers had a work ethic and will to survive that we can’t even comprehend.

Of course…Hood River would not be Hood River without some windsurfing….here’s my boy starting a jump at a sailing spot called “The Hatch” (short for “the Hatchery” because it is next to a hatchery on the Washington side of the river).

A few things we learned about camping in a trailer camper…

1. Cleaning out the toilets is not a fun task…phewy!


2. Having a toilet that no one else uses is WELL worth it, especially in the middle of the night when you’re pregnant and use it repeatedly.


3. Having a trailer ROCKS when it’s raining…wet tents suck.


4. However, watching a lightening storm from the safety and dryness of your trailer really does NOT suck.


5. Trains in the middle of the night do suck. To do for next year...find a different campsite.


6. You have to remind your husband that YOU are on vacation too…and thus every meal does not need to be cooked BY you in the trailer… Thank goodness for the $1.50 tacos at the little taco joint on “the heights” in Hood River.


7. Having a trailer just plain beats out a tent, period. At least for long term camping.


8. I-84 is REALLY windy headed from Hood River to Portland, but it is REALLY REALLY windy when you’re pulling a trailer.


9. I am still the Pente champion. Okay – that has nothing to do with a trailer camper…and my husband never reads this blog to contradict me….but unless he’s cheating by calling the first game of the night the “Championship”, I still kick his butt.


10. Being together 24-7 reminds me how much I miss my husband when he’s working crazy busy hours and there’s really no one else on Earth that I am more content to be with than him. That has nothing to do with a camper trailer…but the trailer is so much better than a tent, I’m just in a better mood when I’m staying in one.

Anyway…those were the highlights of the trip. We’re hoping that he’s able to bid off good time in the season next summer so we can repeat the experience with baby in tow! We’ll have to see where he’s at in the vacation bidding list by then….

We're Back!

We're back from vacation and have lots of fun stories to share....but in the meantime, I wanted to test uploading a video. You've already seen these pictures, I just needed to test :)

Road Warriors

Forget the fact that we have an 18 year old (step) daughter, forget the fact that we have a baby on the way, a mortgage, jobs, financial responsibilities, vehicles, and are never, ever carded. It's now official, my husband and I are card carrying adults. We own a camper trailer.


I knew when I married my husband that the majority of our vacations would revolve around windsurfing. I also knew that he'd give in, here and there, and allow for vacations elsewhere. But our summer weekends and summer vacations are about the Gorge. And that's okay - I've come to love Hood River. It's now my second home and I fully envision us retiring there one day.


It reminds me of when I was a child. My Dad and Stepmom took us to Lincoln City, Oregon almost every summer. And I loved that. To this day, memories of those trips are precious to me and I feel intimately connected to that town. I know the restaurants, the shops, the sites to see...and I fully expect to take my children there one day. But my children's "Lincoln City" is going to be Hood River. They'll know the hikes, the waterfalls, the river, the town...and fall in love with it the way that my husband and I have.


Hopefully, they'll learn to windsurf from a very early age. I was never a particularly athletic child. My parents never pushed me toward it, so I'm not a very athletic adult. Learning skills like golf, skiing, windsurfing is hard for me. I have an inate fear of hurting myself, lack of basic coordination, and I am just plain ole out of shape. This isn't to say I don't keep trying...but I like the sports that require less coordination - like hiking. I love to hike. Even with that, I'm out of shape, but I sure will give it my best!


At anyrate, I digress (me...digress? never!)....my whole point of this post was to show off our new camper trailer. When my husband and I were in Texas one spring, we were tent camping along side windsurfers who all (or at least the majority) had camper trailers or motorhomes. I told him then, when we have children, I'm not tent camping anymore...unless it's for a weekend. I want a camper trailer!


Each summer since, as we've spent our extended vacations at the Gorge, I was happy to do it in a tent....always with the understanding that when babies started coming, I wanted a camper trailer. Tent camping is hard work for the girl....washing dishes in a tub you had to haul to running water...trying to keep your equipment out of the dust or dirt...trying to keep the tent clean...it's a lot of work. And I enjoy it for a couple of days. But for two weeks at a time? While you're trying to change diapers and keep baby clean? Not so much.


Thus, when my husband and I realized that next summer we would have a small infant with us, the search for a camper trailer began. I didn't really expect to find one this summer, but when my in-laws offered to share the cost of the trailer with us so that my father in law could use it hunting this winter, we decided to make it a more serious search.

Luckily for me...that happened just in time for the vacation we're leaving on this Saturday. No more camping in a tent for me, as of yesterday, we're the proud owners of this:

Mi casa es su casa

View to the back of the trailer

View to the front

The Master Bedroom

Our guest quarters

I think camping in Hood River just a got a whole lot more enjoyable!

Hoochie Mama

Let's talk briefly about maternity fashions.

Once upon a time, all maternity fashion involved something mumu-ish...or bows, lots and lots of bows. Not pretty on anyone, especially a pregnant woman. At a time when the majority of us are larger than we've ever been, those clothes were the most unbecoming possible.

Apparently the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction and now, it appears, maternity clothing manufacturers think we all want to be hoochie mamas.

Hoochie Mama as defined by the Urban Dictionary:
1. A female who dresses ghetto ho fabulous. Lots of gold, lots of weave-typically Pattie LaBelle style with red, purple, gold, or orange streaks, and long nails with lots of airbrush glitter, and color. This female's goal in life is to use her female attributes to obtain a male with lots of money or any money to spend on her. Weaves, rent, & diapers for her baby from another daddy included. 2. A ghetto version of a "Gold Digger".
Friday night (payday} at the club: "Ooo, girl the hoochie mamas are out trollin' tonight!"

Seriously - the patterns on today's maternity wear are horrible. Red, purple, gold, AND orange! Together in one shirt!

But the thing that really gets me are the low cut tops. Seriously! I'm not a small waif of a girl - and "the girls", they're not small either. And apparently, they're only going to get bigger. So what's with the low cut tops?!?! I'm not out trollin for a date. I already have one of those. I took him home to Mom and Dad. They liked him. We got married. Now we're having a baby. And the only person that needs to SEE "the girls" is him!

Things are slightly better for the girls that are smaller to begin with. Clothing manufacturers like Ann Taylor, The Gap, even Juicy Couture are offering fairly fashionable maternity lines. But with prices starting at $75.00 for one shirt and an extra large that equates to a size 12, that's not really going to work for me.

So that leaves me to the lower end, more affordable stores like Target, Old Navy, Motherhood Maternity, Sears, and JC Pennies. And let me tell you, the pickins are slim. Add into it that nearly every single shirt I've purchased needs some sort of camisole under it to keep from showing off the girls and it's just not my favorite part of pregnancy.

So...if you see a pregnant hoochie mama walking down the street...don't judge. She might be a really sweet, lovable girl that just can't find a damn thing to wear.

Pit Stops

I have an unreasonable fear of public restrooms.

There, I typed it outloud. I can't stand public restrooms. They always make me feel skeevy and dirty and I don't like them. I'm embarrassed to use them. I know, it's absolutely crazy...everyone "does" it - so why should I be embarrassed? I have no idea. At work, if there is anyone in the restroom, I'll leave until none of the stalls are occupied. But I've realized this strategy isn't going to work so well for the duration of my pregnancy.

Take, for example, this last Friday. I had my twelve week doctor's appointment. It went really well! The spud (or spudette) was alive and kicking and moving around. My doctor is convinced it's a girl because of the extremely high heart rate. Part of me is praying she's right...but I still gotta go with my gut. I won't lie, I'll be happy with any healthy baby, but I wouldn't mind so much if it was a little girl :)

At any rate, I digress. When I arrived at my doctor's office, the receptionist advised me to go weigh myself and test my urine. Once you've been instructed how to do it with the little dipsticks, each patient monitors their urine for blood sugar and protein. However, I haven't been taught how to use those little dipsticks. I told the receptionist this, but she said to go ahead and pee and leave it in a cup in the bathroom and the nurse would show me how.

Okay...dilemma #1 - you want me to pee in a cup and leave it in the restroom for all the world to see? Uhhh...okay.... So, redfaced I come out of the bathroom and wait for my nurse. In the meantime, someone used the restroom and dumped my cup! Yikes! Dilemma #2 - someone else was touching my pee cup! I am not so comfortable with this! We proceed with the appointment and the nurse shows me what to do and asks me to try again after the doctor has seen me. So, I down the rest of the 1 liter bottle of water I had with me and pray for the best. Unfortunately, Mother Nature didn't work so quickly. Dilemma #3 - I am now in the doctor's office restroom, with a waiting line, trying to get myself to pee. That was a serious no go. Not only did the water not have enough time, but I've got a shy bladder...there's no way I'm going to be able to pee with other pregnant women who *really have to go* standing outside of the door waiting!

So much for knowing if my blood surgar was high or if I've got too much protein in my system.

Dilemma #4: I've now had quite a bit of water to drink and I've got errands to run and I'm across town from my house. So, in order to use my own restroom, I'd have to waste the time (and gas!) to run back home. Here's where the practical side of me wins out. I realize that I'm being stupid - and praying that I can get all of my errands done before Mother Nature works her magic. I wasn't so lucky. And I'm forced to use another public restroom. Twice. Ugh.

Fast forward to Sunday. My husband left to go windsurfing for the week (which really sucks, because he's on vacation without me, the bum! I hate that he has twice as much vacation as I do!) and so I decided to escape the heat at the mall. I went shopping for maternity tops. I could get by without them, but my favorite shirts are starting to be a wee bit too short in the front, so I'm constantly tugging at them, trying to pull them over my burgeoning belly. And I must add that the lovely plethora of plus size clothing for pregnant women is a topic for an entirely different post. To put it bluntly, it sucks!

However, I find myself in the same situation. I can't be out all afternoon without drinking my water like a good little pregnant lady. But drinking water means Mother Nature is going to kick in at some point. You guessed it, I had to use another public restroom. Twice. Again. Double Ugh.

And it was at this point, as I was walking away from the second pit stop that I realized this is only the first of them many humiliations that go along with being pregnant. And as much fun as this all is (and it is!)....pregnancy isn't for the shy bladdered!