Totally Caught!

Yesterday, as my class was lining up to go home, an older student stopped me in the hallway and said, "You're having a baby!" I said, "What makes you think that?" She quickly pointed to my ginormous belly. I said, "No, it's just ice cream." The girl laughed, obviously knowing I was kidding, and walked away.

Unfortunately, one of my students also overheard the conversation. He said (with a look of shock on his face), "Mrs. Zahrte, why did you just lie to that girl? Your belly isn't ice cream, it's a baby!" I told him that I had just been teasing. A look of horror crossed his face, and told me that because I had not said, "Just kidding!" the girl did not know I was teasing, and in fact, I had just lied to her. He was mortified that a teacher would tell a lie! He then proceeded to give me the same speech about lying that I have given him several times. You know the one... "You will always get into more trouble for telling a lie than being truthful," and, "Friends don't lie to one another," and the ever important, "If you tell a lie no one will ever know when to believe you."

Yikes, it is possible I have scarred this child for life! I quickly told him that I had told her I was teasing with my body language. I'm not sure he believed it, but it was the best I could do at the time! Today I am being very careful to be on my best behavior....

Totally Prepared Now!

On Saturday we took a childbirth class. We were supposed to get another big snow storm on Sat., and I was a little worried that we were going to have the same type of childbirth class experience my parents did. They went to one class and watched a video about how they got pregnant. The second class was snowed out, and by the third class they had already become parents because I came so early. My dad went to the fourth class and asked for a refund. :)

We took the express class - that was all I could talk JZ into committing to - everything you need to know about labor and delivery in 6 hours. We went into the class with several questions that we had answered, but also left with new fears and anxieties. Sometimes I think ignorance is bliss. Maybe I didn't really need to know the risks associated with an epidural or watch the ladies on the video whither in pain for 30+ hours. Possibly I didn't need to hear about some of the yucky (bodily function) things that could happen on the delivery table or that I could throw up (my worst nightmare!). Worse yet, there are going to be other people around. Anytime these gross things happen to me, I prefer to be in the privacy of my own home. NEVER would I want to be sick in front of an audience! If I thought there was any possible way I could get through this without Jeremy I'd make him wait in the hallway too. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure I can't do this without him, so he's going to have to deal with the possibilities, and I'm going to have to get over it!

Other than the scary stuff, our class was informative and helpful. We learned when to go to the hospital - the 5-1-1 rule - contractions 5 min. apart, that last for one minute consistently for one hour. We also learned some relaxation and pain management techniques and positions. My favorite part was the 15 min. back/head/hand/foot massage I got. I think I will be requesting that technique frequently! JZ was also supposed to practice whispering his encouraging words to me. That part did not work quite as well. He kept being a smart alec because he said it was uncomfortable to "Whisper sweet nothings in your ear while there's a room full of people watching!" I totally understand, and JZ passed the class with flying colors. I know he is going to be an excellent support system. He says he's a little worried about watching me be in pain and not be able to do anything about it. He is a total "fixer," and to not be able to fix the situation will be hard for him. We have discussed a birth plan, but I have already told him that I reserve the right to change my mind in the moment!

So, I guess that's it. We're officially prepared for childbirth! Hmmm...I wonder if we should feel a little more confident?

Girls' Only (OK, one boy allowed!)

A few weeks ago I was able to get together with a few of my favorite gals for a fantastic lunch and a little more Caden-spoiling.

Anyone who knows JZ, knows that he has had a very tight group of friends since high school. I have watched these boys grow up (although I use that term loosely!) and each marry (close enough Trav and Marie!) wonderful ladies. I feel very lucky that, not only do I enjoy spending time with them as couples, but I also consider each one of these gals a great friend.

Unfortunately, none of the girls could attend the shower last month, so we did the next best thing - we had our own shower luncheon! The girls were so sweet to organize our get together, and they spoiled Caden and I!

Here are some pics from our afternoon...

A perfect gift from Katie, the sports fan - a Broncos onesie and cap and a Rockies jersey

These are pee-pee teepees. You are supposed to put them on the pee-pee during diaper changes to prevent spraying. I'm willing to try it!

Allison, Charmaine, me, Marie, and Katie - thanks girls, love you!

Snow Update

Well, the snow has moved out of CO and we are now shoveling out under a beautiful blue sky. We are estimating that we have about 1.5 feet of snow at our house. We spent yesterday driving the "Relaxi-Taxi" - I think I finally got out of my pj's about 4:00. Here are a few pics from the last two days

This is Thursday morning - the first of many shovels. There's probably about 6-8 inches here.

It had been so long since we had a big snow, Belle forgot she really likes the snow. She refused to go outside Thursday morning. When we finally pushed her out she took three steps and did her business on the deck. That did not make Daddy happy, so he shoveled her a path out to the grass. She still thought that was too much work and continued to do her stuff on the deck for the rest of the day. Here she is watching Daddy shovel. Too cold for this Princess!

Friday morning - about 1.5 feet in the front yard



Belle finally remembered that she really DOES like the snow!

You can see how much snow we really had. It was so windy and drifted so high in some places that it is over Belle's head.

Today we ARE going to get out of the house. JZ decided not to go skiing. The mountains did not get the snow we did down here, and it would have taken him forever to get out of the city. We are off to see the new Disney movie Monsters vs. Aliens - in 3D!!!

Snow Day!

Normally, I don't like the phone ringing at 5:15AM. Today was a different story. Today the phone call came from our school secretary letting me know that they had canceled school. Snow Day! The craziest part was that it had not even started snowing yet. Here's my theory on Jefferson County's snow day policy - it doesn't really matter how bad the drive TO school is going to be (I have driven in some treacherous conditions!), it's the possibility of us getting stuck at school that is the problem. As long as the snow stops before school lets out, we have to go. If they predict (as they are today) that the heaviest snow is going to fall in the afternoon, everyone panics that the little people might be stuck and we get a snow day. Whatever the thinking, it works for me! We don't have school tomorrow anyway, and next week is Spring Break, so my vacation has officially begun!

Currently, we are under a blizzard warning, and they are predicting 8-16 inches in the metro area. JZ quickly ran to the grocery store to grab us some chili fixings before the roads get any worse. He has been in Portland this week and was not supposed to be home until after midnight tonight. When I told him about the blizzard warning he canceled today's meeting and jumped on a flight last night. He didn't land until midnight, but he was able to get home before the snow started. He very sweetly told me that he came home early because he was afraid that he would get stuck in Portland and he never wanted to not be able to get home in case of an emergency with the baby (I have reread that sentence a hundred times, but I can't figure out how to make it less confusing!). Very sweet, but I know the real reason is that he is dying to go skiing tomorrow -the mountains are getting dumped on too!

So here we are, hunkering down, watching movies, and eating chili. I love Spring blizzards!

Babymoon

This weekend Jeremy and I went on a Babymoon - a Babymoon is one last weekend away before the little one comes. We decided to go to one of our favorite places, Winter Park. We spent all weekend hanging out, staying up late talking about our fears and dreams for Caden, and enjoying the beautiful CO weather.

I took Fri. off and we slept in late, went to breakfast, took Belle on a walk, and then left for WP that afternoon. We stayed at one of our favorite places, a B & B called the Wild Horse Inn. They have a beautiful lodge, but they also have some cabins. Last time we stayed there, we were inside the lodge. This time we rented one of the cabins so Belle could come too! The whole family got to be together, and Belle was an ANGEL the whole weekend. Who knew?!? Guess she wants to come with us again.

Fri. night we had dinner with Megan and Geoff at a super pizza place. Sat. JZ went skiing with the Hendersons while I hit went on a nice walk (within cell range, don't worry!) and then I hit the spa! Although we weren't together, we were both in our happy places (seriously, during labor, when they tell me to go to my "happy place," you can bet that's where I'm going to be!). Saturday night we had a fancy-shmancy five course dinner at the top of WP mountain. Since I haven't been able to get up on the mountain all winter, we decided to go up for dinner. After hours they take some of the chairs off of one of the lifts, and put on some gondolas. We rode up to the top just as the sun was setting and had a great meal of rib eye and buffalo. Yummo!

Sunday, we, very sadly, said goodbye to WP and headed home. Although we were sad to have our weekend end, we are still basking in the glow of a perfect time!

Our cute cabin

Caden and I are ready to head up the hill

The Lodge at Sunspot - where we ate dinner

Quick Dr. Update

Yesterday we had our 31 week doctor's appointment. The doctor was pleased with how both Caden and I were doing. She said everything looked great! She couldn't tell us much about his size - just that I was measuring "average", so he is probably average size. She is guessing that he currently weighs about 4 1/2 pounds. She was pleased with my weight gain (hmmm...really?!?), blood pressure, and there was only a trace of protein in my urine. All good things! No one seemed to be overly concerned about my swollen feet. They just told me to lay down as much as possible and gave me some things to watch for that would warrant a trip back in. We talked a lot about how active he is - especially in the middle of the night. She said that 90% of her patients say that their babies are more active at night. Hopefully this is not indicative of his natural body clock! She reminded me that while it might be uncomfortable and slightly annoying, it's a good thing - he is practicing movements and getting stronger. I'll try to remember that...

We will go back in one month - 35 weeks. They will test me for Strep B (not harmful to me, but harmful to him during delivery. If I test positive they just put me on antibiotics) and do an ultrasound to make sure that he is head down. After that, we start to go more often. They will see us at 37 weeks and (depending on how I'm feeling) again at 38 or 39, and then every week after that (hopefully not too much more!). It's hard to believe that we only have about 3 more appointments!

Just a little bit longer Caden, you've got a little more cookin' to do. We're ready and we can't wait to meet and snuggle you!