No, we haven't fallen off the face of the Earth

Long time, no post. Life has been busy, what else can I say.

I was hoping to post some pictures along with this entry but for some reason I cannot find the folder on my computer that has the pictures I'm looking for. Hmm...moving on.

About a week and a half ago, Seth and I decided that a mini get-a-way was in order for us before the baby's arrival (just 3 weeks till the due date, not that we're counting!) and I took the initiative to secretly book a room at a B&B south of Hermann, MO (about 1 1/2 hrs from Columbia) for last Thursday night. I told Seth what to pack and how long we'd be gone and he just went along with the surprise. Our accommodations were at Second Creek Farm B&B, located on 135 secluded acres with hiking trails and two stocked ponds for fishing. We hiked the trails for a spot to picnic for dinner and Seth caught 3 fish before sunset. I'm eager to post the photos as words don't do justice for this place. The B&B is modeled after a 1850's log cabin and has four guest rooms, but the house is HUGE!

On Friday, we drove into Hermann to explore the town, minus the wineries that usually would draw us there. I booked massages for us at a therapeutic spa and while I enjoyed a 45-minute pregnancy massage Seth opted for a short 15-minute chair massage so he could keep his shirt on. I came out of my massage to find Seth sitting in a vibrating chair (different from the 15-minute massage chair) reading a newspaper with his feet soaking in a bubbly foot bath and an herbal warmer around his neck. He had a big grin on his face and was really enjoying the pampering! Needless to say, he enjoyed the experience and said he'd do it all over again.

We also had a doctor's appointment Thursday morning before we left for our get-a-way. Everything is good. The doctor even said that if Baby Allen wants to make an early appearance then that would fine. Both of us are in good health. We'll meet with our doula later this week and then we've got two more follow-up doctor's appointments on the 13th and 17th. I am so anxious for the baby's arrival. It can't come soon enough!

Well, I'll post pictures later this week from our B&B and Hermann trip (if I can find that darn folder). Until then, have great days!

-rebecca

Baby stuff everywhere!

I took some photographs this weekend of some of the stuff in the baby's room. We're getting anxious for the baby to arrive... five weeks and counting till the due date! Once I finish getting the crib ready (I'm sewing a skirt for the bottom) then I'll take an overall photograph of the room to show everyone the set-up. We've got 2 rocking chairs (one for us and the other is toddler-size, both handcrafted by Grandpa Charley) and then a dresser, in addition to the crib. We decided not to get a changing table and I think we'll manage fine without one.

NOW, FOR THE PHOTOS...

...a quilt that Grandma Rodgriguez made, hanging over the side of the crib...

...a tray with picture frames and albums (there's going to be pictures of this kid EVERYWHERE!)...and a basket of essentials for diaper changes that we can take from room-to-room since we're not using a changing table...
...a basket stuffed with toys and teethers and rattles, etc... and a CUTE stuffed animal that Grandma Nita bought to accompany a book on children's songs...
...this shelf is crafted from peices of an old table that Seth used during his bachelor days, and now it's fit for holding pregnancy and baby books that we've been given...and of course, a photo of the parents-to-be...
...this isn't actually in the baby's room, but I am SO EXCITED about finding it a garage sale earlier this summer. I really wanted a wooden high chair and found this solid oak one for a steal at $20. I love the turned spindles and carving detail on the backrest...

...we have a built-in cubby of shelves in the baby's room and opted to use that for storage instead of a changing table. The baskets are filled with diapers, bibs, booties, hats, changing pads, wipes, blankets, bath items, etc. It's quite handy...and oh, so Martha Stewart-ish, which I'm a little embarrassed to admit (insert sheepish grin)...
...here's the toddler rocker that Grandpa Charley made from cherry wood. It's absolutely adorable and believe it or not, even though I'm pregnant, my rear-end fits in it! Ha ha! The blanket that's draped over the back of the chair was made by Kate, the mother of my good friend Rachel from back home. It's beautiful and something we'll cherish for years to come...
...a hat puppet that our neighbor, Angie, gave us. It's propped on top of a CD player attached to the crib...
.... a giraffe hanging from the mobile, one of many hand-me-downs from a friend--we are so fortunate to know so many people who already have children and are willing to give us stuff that they don't use anymore--THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!...

Doctor's appointment update:

We are pleased to say that things are still looking good as far as the baby's and my health is concerned. We had our first two-week appointment last Friday and met with the obstetric nurse. She checked the baby's heart beat (fine, normal); size (fine, predicts average weight in the 7-lb area); orientation (fine, head down but kind of at an angle--the butt sits propped under my ribs on the right side and the baby is streched out like a backwards C-shape around my belly button). We will work on a birth plan over the next few weeks, hopefully with the help of our doula. Our next appointment is July 26 and then we go once a week! The anticipation is almost too much to handle!

-rebecca

Meet Mr. & Mrs. Moss!

Co-workers Amy and David were married on June 30. The ceremony was at First Presbyterian Church and the reception was in one of the ballrooms on the Stephen's College campus. As always, I had my camera in-tow and I photographed some casual shots at the reception. Of course I didn't take nearly as many as I would've liked to, but I didn't want to get in the way of the official wedding photographer. Here are a couple of select images from the evening.

Even more baby stuff...and an AWESOME surprise!

We had a great time in Owasso with my family last weekend! It was a short trip but still very fun. Next time we're there, we'll be a family of three!

On Saturday, Mom, Jenna, Rachel, Kate, Sarah and I gathered for lunch at The Marketplace, a large home-decor store with a cafe and ate a wonderful meal of sandwiches, wraps, fruit and desserts while I opened presents. It was perfect place for a ladies luncheon.

GIFTS, GIFTS GALORE...
As always, everyone was so generous with their gift-giving! We received a pack 'n play, homemade quilt, onesies, burp cloths, bowls, sippie cup, bath products, hangers, baby shoes, books, disposable changing cloths and bags for diapers--the list just goes on and on. Thanks to all the ladies for your kindness and generosity!

Mom and Dad are probably going to buy the Bjorn baby carrier for us and bring it with them when they visit for the birth of the baby. We're going to purchase a new mattress for the crib and Gloria and Charley have offered to buy the car seat which will probably be delivered in the next week or so. After that, we'll be set to go with everything we need and a whole lot more! We are so thankful for everyone who has showered us with gifts and advice.

ANTICIPATION...
With 5 1/2 weeks to go, we're getting anxious to meet our little one! We haven't finalized our name choices yes, but we're getting close! We've got an appointment with the obstetric nurse on Friday to discuss our birth plan and then we'll meet with the doctor on the 26th. Then I think we'll meet once a week after that. Now, if I could just put in a special order for the weather to stay below 85 degrees with a cool breeze, that would be perfect!

THE SURPRISE...
And now, it's time to share the most awesome surprise of all from this weekend! Rachel had a special gift for me to open at the shower. In the gift bag was a baby brag book which I immediately loved because I like all things photo-related. Kate encouraged me to open it up and look inside, so I did thinking there was more to it, perhaps it was a scrapbook with stickers and such. But to my surprise, it already contained one photograph--an ultrasound image of Rachel and David's BABY! I had no idea she was pregnant, Rachel wanted to tell me in person that they were expecting and the gift was a perfect way to share the news! I am so excited for them...and the baby is due on Valentine's Day! How cute!

-love, rebecca

Catching Up with the Allen's

It's been a while since I posted on the blog. Life just seems to get away from us sometimes! Recent happenings:

• We had an OB appointment last Friday and all went well. The baby is hopefully on it's way to turning head-down (he/she was kind of sideways or "transverse" last month) and my weight and measurements are on target. I've gained 35 lbs! We spent a lot of time talking to the doctor about what our expectations were for the labor and delivery of the baby and the doctor shared her philosophy on medical procedures and what is necessary and what is not. We seem to agree on most things, which is important if I am to follow through with a natural birth with no medical interventions.
• Gloria and Charley; Seth's brother, Travis, and his two girls, Shawna and Kate; and Travis' friend, Casey, made a trip to Columbia last weekend to help us with some home improvement projects. I'll be posting some pictures of the work in progress once I actually get the camera out and take some pictures. Did I mention, it's been a busy week? The biggest project (which still needs some finishing touches) was building new wooden front porch steps over our existing, crumbly, concrete ones. I love the new entry way! The men did a great job working in the rain.
• We met with a doula, DeeDee Farris-Folkerts, and hired her to attend our birth as a personal birth coach. Her website is http://birthrhythms.com/ We are very excited to have found a doula, and DeeDee has over 12 years experience, in addition to being a midwife (although we did not hire her for that purpose). She will be instrumental in coaching both me and Seth through a natural, gentle labor and delivery.
• We're heading to Oklahoma tomorrow so I can hang out with my Mom, sister Jennifer, friend Rachel and her Mom for a ladies luncheon. It should be fun, I've never been to the restaurant that we're eating at. It's called The Market, and apparently it's a retail store and a restaurant, all in one. We can shop after we eat-- a perfect place for a ladies luncheon. Seth will hang out with Dad for lunch and meet up with the ladies at the Dimon residence for further refreshments and socializing. Then we'll have dinner at home and hopefully Jennifer and Jacob will join us. Then it's back to Columbia on Sunday--we'll hopefully be on the road around noon, if not before. It'll be a short trip, and our last one before the baby comes!

I hope to have pictures for the next post. Stay tuned...

-rebecca