Tuesday, November 30, 2010

An After Thanksgiing Tradition

Every year, basically since Martin and I started dating, we have had Thanksgiving at my parent's house after Thanksgiving. This is for a couple of reasons, mostly because my mom is super accomodating. But, it has made it really nice for us to be able to go to Thanksgiving with Martin's family also. Plus, last year we weren't able to go home until the weekend and this year we were in the hospital. So the After Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Celebration is basically the best thing ever.

We had an after Thanksgiving again this year. Once again, it was really fun.

Aubrey was with us, of course, so everyone wanted to hold her. Well, mostly my mom who didn't want to put her down at all.

Me: Mom, you can put her in the carseat while you're eating. She'll sleep fine in there.
Mom: No. I want to do both. I want to hold her and eat at the same time.

After dinner, we played a Newlyweds Game with Martin and I, my brother and his girlfriend, and Caton and Kerri McKenna (posing as a couple). There were a few highlights:

Kerri: Ok, what is your partner's proudest moment.
Martin: umm, giving birth
Me: nope
Martin: Well, what is it?
Me: I'm not sure. But I immediately thought that you might say that and that it's not my proudest moment. I was thinking maybe it was that time we had a food eating contest at the Chinese restaurant for Sigma Alpha and I won and then puked in the parking lot.
Martin: I say giving birth an you're more proud of eating a lot.
Me: Well, I hadn't really figured out my proudest moment yet. That was just something that came to mind.

Kerri: What was your first date with your partner?
Mitchell: I have no idea.
Jessica: Yeah, we went to that little restaurant. It was just a couple months ago. We've been dating for a year and we just went on a date a couple months ago.
Mitchell: I have no idea.
Martin: I love this conversation. I think it is making me look pretty good.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Cable Television

Martin and I do not have television. We watch reruns of Seinfeld and Arrested Development because we own both seasons. Recently, we've started watching How I Met Your Mother.  We follow Modern Family online, religiously. I watch Glee, also religiously. Martin watches AxMan, not so religiously, but I mean, seriously - I can't believe that is a serious show. Devotion to it would be almost ridiculous.

Anyway, there is a point to all this rambling. The point is that we never just sit around and watch whatever happens to be on TV. In general, I think this is a good thing, but once in a while its nice to just veg out in front of the TV. Martin has been extremely tolerant of this no TV lifestyle and we haven't had television since we've been married.

But, like I said, sometimes its nice to veg out. So for the two days I was in the hospital, Martin was sort of in Heaven watching lots of TV in the room. There was a series of Gangland on and both Martin and myself were pretty enthralled with learning all about different gang history. Except, Martin also felt sort of guilty to be watching Gangland in front of a baby. So everytime someone would enter our room, be it a nurse, doctor, or dining, Martin would immediately start flipping through channels and then return back to Gangland after their departure.

Me: Why do you change the channel everytime someone comes in the room?
Martin: Because. You shouldn't let people know you're exposing a baby to television with violent images. Of course, my facebook status right now is 'Watching Gangland with my ladies...babies love Gangland'

Saturday, November 27, 2010

A Learning Experience

Ok. To defend myself a little bit before starting this post. This is not to say that I have never changed a baby's diaper. But, I can't remember when the last time I changed a diaper actually was. (prior to the 20 or so diapers I have changed in the past few days).

So the first night Aubrey was born. Obviously, she had a dirty diaper in the middle of the night. That is not alarming and should be expected. But picture Martin and I trying to clean this up in the middle of the night. In the dark. In the hospital. With little to no idea what we are doing.

*Ok. Let's back this up 8 hours to when I was in labor and Martin was reading a parenting book*
Martin: It says here that babies diapers should be a brownish yellow, like calf scours.
Me: OH MY GOD. I am done with these contractions. I want to just push this baby out now.

*Ok. Now fast forward to the time of diaper change*
Me: Didn't you say the poop was supposed to be like calf scours. Because this is black. It looks like tar.
Martin: Oh, yeah. That's what the nurse said it was going to look like the first couple of times.
Me: Are you sure?? Like tar????
Martin: Yeah. I'm sure.

We then proceed to attempt to change the diaper. I kind of  hold her legs back, but it didn't really occur to me that I would have to firmly hold them back because, believe it or not, babies are not smart enough not to swing their legs around into their poopy diapers. So Aubrey begins wildly swinging her legs around causing her entire legs and the identification band on her ankle to get covered in tar-like baby poop. I attempt to clean this off with the wipes provided by the hospital. These wipes, however, are not wet and are doing a completely pitiful job of cleaning my child off. After a few minutes of struggle, we get everything cleared up and remove the dirty diaper from underneath Aubrey's bottom. I then turn around to get a clean diaper. In the meantime, Aubrey poops again. This time there is no diaper there, so she poops on the receiving blanket she is laying on. I wipe that poop up. Or attempt to. I now have a dirty blanket on my hands also.

Martin: Maybe you should move her out of the poop.
Me: I'm trying to. That's what I just did.
Martin: Yeah, but she's still kicking her legs and rolling into the poop.
Me: Oh boy, she just pooped again! What is with this baby? How can she poop so much!?

Needless to say, we were able to get all the the poop cleaned up, the receiving blanket replaced, and to the happiness of all involved my diaper changing skills have improved at least ten-fold since my first experience!

Friday, November 26, 2010

We're Home!

We got home this morning and we're so excited to be out of the hospital and spending our first day at home! Martin, true to character, went to work as soon as we got home and Aubrey Elaine and I are hanging out on the couch, enjoying being home.
There's my little cutie pie!!!

I had to put some socks on her hands to keep her from scratching her face with her fingernails which were  surprisingly long when she was born! I could give this girl french tips if I wanted to. Unfortunately, I'm a little bit scared to cut her fingernails, but hopefully I'll work up the courage at some point today.

so nothing long today, just wanted to show you all a picture of Aubrey!


Oh, and I guess I could give a few details.

Aubrey Elaine Bruning.
Born at 3:10 pm on Wednesday, November 24th.
Weight at birth was 7 pounds 6 ounces.
And she was 20 inches long.

So far, she's absolutely perfect!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

This is the Day

I'm having a baby today. I'm having a baby today. I'm having a baby today!

I'm so excited I feel like a little kid who wakes up way too early for the first day of Christmas vacation because she's soooo excited!


I'll catch you all after I have a gorgeous child in my arms!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

DUE DATE

So today is my due date. I can't believe I made it this far.

and tomorrow.....


I am having a baby!!!



Yep, they're going to induce me tomorrow morning at 7:30. With any luck, I'll have the baby by lunchtime. I realize this may not happen, but I'm just happy to know that I am having the baby tomorrow.


Anyways, I'm super excited and also nervous. At this time tomorrow, I'm going to be a mom! crazy.

Monday, November 22, 2010

A Married Man

Martin didn't work this weekend because he wanted to be close to home in case I had the baby. Of course, I did not have the baby.

Anyway,  Saturday we spent the day sort of getting errands done/laying around and doing nothing. The day went something like this.

I wake up at 7:30.
Martin refuses to wake up/makes me lay in bed with him until 10:30 or 11.
We somehow waste time until 12 (getting laundry together, etc.)
We head down to Ithaca to go grocery shopping
Stop at an Antique Store on the way.
    Me: Hey, let's stop here.
    Martin: (sort of groaning) Ok.
    minutes later.
     Martin: This place is awesome!
    an hour later.
    Martin: There is so much stuff here! We could walk around this place forever. Ok, so now I feel like we really need to get a house to start decorating.
    Me: You are such a married man.
    Martin: I would like this place even if I was single!
    Me: I don't think you would come to this place if you were single.
    Martin: I guess that's probably true.
Go grocery shopping where Martin yells at me not to get stressed out about work.
Stop at laundromat on way home and put our clothes in wash.
Martin wanders off with the landlord, leaving me with all the groceries to unload.
I unload groceries and then return to laundromat. (Martin is still MIA).
Come home from laundromat after throwing clothes in dryer and hang up clothes that cannot be dried.
At this point Martin shows up as I am about to go to laundromat to get the rest of the clothes and tells me to wait for him, but I am pissed at his disappearance and lack of help with the groceries, so I leave without him.
I return home.
We put away laundry.
I make tuna melts.
We enjoy tuna melts with kettle chips, a pear, and snapple.
Watch How I Met Your Mother season one for the remainder of the evening.

Wonderful Lazy Day!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

My Brother

My brother is in the Marines and I rarely see him. He really doesn't come home that often and because he is absolutely horrible at picking up the phone and calling (or answering the phone for that matter) I would say that we're usually good for about one 45 minute conversation a month.

So, when he unexpectedly came home to visit last weekend it was really nice. Well, it was really nice for me that he also decided to head down to Ithaca to spend the weekend at Cornell with one of his best friends.

Last Sunday we met for lunch at this delicious Greek restaurant in collegetown, Alladin's. Our friend Kerri McKenna also met us there. We talked and laughed for a couple hours and it was absolutely amazing to see him, even though he (and everyone in my family) has never been one to sugarcoat a situation.

Alex: Oh my God! You are GIGANTIC!
Me: Gee thanks.
Kerri: I don't think she looks that big. I think she looks really good.
Alex: Well you're sitting across the table from her, you can't even see how big she is!
Kerri: I just saw her last Sunday though.
Alex: No, you don't understand.....she is huge!



ps. In case you haven't noticed. It's Saturday morning now and I'm still here. Where is this baby???

Friday, November 19, 2010

12:48 AM

It's 12:48 in the morning.

I'm not up at this time because I haven't been to bed yet tonight.

I'm not up right now because I'm one of the thousands of people watching Harry Potter.

I'm not up right now because I had a sudden and incredible urge to watch season one episodes of Modern Family. (although I am going to do that to pass the time)

I'm up because I can't sleep and my back hurts.

But I'm not in labor (as far as I can tell).

And I know I'm exhausted.

So why can't I sleep?

Now would be a really great time for me to have this baby.

Or if not to have the baby to at least be able to sleep in comfort.

Since I don't forsee the latter happening without first the former ocurring, I repeat, now would be a really great time for me to have this baby.

Hopefully next time I post I have an adorable child.

But let's be honest. She takes after her mother and her father. She's stubborn and that probably is not going to happen.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

A Change in Perspective

On Saturday night, Martin and I went out to dinner with our friends Ranatta and Adam. We went to The Nines which is the most amazing pizza place in the world, I swear. It is definitely the most amazing in Ithaca.

The only drawback....it's in collegetown. Which is just a huge pain as far as parking goes. And its pretty much all college students so I feel a little out of place walking around there 9 months pregnant. But for the pizza, it is all worth it.

We didn't meet for dinner until 9 and were there until about 11, so it was perfect timing for the streets to be full of people going out to bars or parties or whatever for the night. And we saw a lot of short skirts. I'm talking really really short skirts. On almost every single girl that passed by. I don't know when wearing skirts that are so short they are not quite doing their job of covering those parts you don't want people to see became quite so popular.  But they are in full abundance.

Martin and Adam were also having a hard time believing.
And Martin was having a mental breakdown as he was torn between whether he should be excited about this new phenomenon or afraid.

Martin: This is why I am scared to have a daughter. She's going to dress like that someday!
Martin: I mean, these girls are only 5 years younger than me. I really shouldn't be looking at them and thinking like a dad.
Me: Well, I never really dressed like that.
Martin: Yeah, but I wouldn't mind if you dressed like that. I am only concerned with how anyone that comes from my loins dresses. I'm not so concerned with anyone I put my loins into.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Nursery......Ish


Our baby is going to spend the first month (or so) of its life living in our Trumansburg apartment before we move back out to Western New York. Due to the limited duration of time we will be in this apartment, I didn't want to go crazy decorating a nursery, but I also felt like I wouldn't be doing our little one justice if I didn't at least attempt to build a halfway cute environment in her corner of our bedroom. Yes we do live in a one bedroom apartment so she will be in our room, which is really perfect because we didn't need to purchase a monitor since she'll be sleeping approximately 28 inches from the foot of our bed!


So I attempted to make some sort of cute/make shift wall decoration with cards people have given us. And with leftover ribbon from our baby party invitations. Of course, I then taped them all on the wall which really took the classy right out of the whole scenario, but the tape isn't nearly as noticable in real life as it is in these photos. Honestly!


And then I tried to put others things I'll need handy on a little nightstand in the corner. I am especially in love with the massive amount of baby socks we have acquired from people in the basket on bottom. They are so little and cute!


I also really like having these cute baskets filled with diapers, burp clothes, books and the absolutely adorable piggybank that our friends Kevin and Desiree got her.


And the pack and play. Which she will be sleeping in until we move and get a crib. It just seemed to bulky to purchase for just a month.


I understand that I'll most definitely have to move all of her toys off the changing table in order to use it. But they are just so cute. And the bears a really really soft.


Oh, and this homemade blanket from my dear friend Michelle. I'm in love with it.

So....there you have it our nursery..ish corner. I probably took way too many pictures and wasted way too many words describing and area that is literally 3 feet deep by 6 feet wide (if that) but I hope you enjoyed!)

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

39 Weeks


Sorry I've been mia for the last couple of days, my internet has been on the fritz.


Anyway,

I'm 39 weeks pregnant today. I am also 4 cm dialated. And when the nurse practitioner was checking my dialation today she may possibly have said, Oh my god. I think your water might have just broke. Upon further examination though, she confirmed that it had not broken yet.

She then walked out of the room and said to the nurse, she is going to have that baby any day now.

So, who knows when it will be. Maybe tonight. Maybe tomorrow. We will see.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Night Owl

So, since I've been pretty much unable to sleep through the night lately, I've been getting a lot of cleaning done in those moonlight hours. Thursday night was the kitchen. Friday night was the bathroom.

And listen everyone: I am cleaning these rooms like I've never cleaned them before. I even cleaned the top of the fan in the bathroom! This stunt did require me to stand on top of the bathroom counter - something Martin surely would have scolded me about, had he been awake to witness the event. But, aside from the apparent stupidity of the act, it also would have been halarious  to witness. Picture this: a woman (i.e. me) 9 months pregnant and standing on top of the bathroom counter wearing only underwear intently cleaning each fan blade.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Friday

So happy its Friday. And excited that soon there will be three of us in the Bruning Family Portrait!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Just 1 out of 1117

If you asked me what I love about my husband, I could probably compile a list of at least 1117 different things. (And yes, that is a totally random number, but also fairly accurate, I believe). This is just one of the many reasons why he is amazing.

*Conversation in regards to whether we should go to a halloween party we were invited to last Saturday night*

Me: It's just that.... I'm Fat. I Waddle. We won't get there until 9:40 and I can barely stay up late these days.
Martin: Honey, don't worry. I'm all of those things and I'm not even pregnant!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Coconut Cranberry Bars

 On Sunday afternoon, I headed over to Kerri McKenna's apartment to make a delicious dessert. Kerri is a staple in my life, as my best friend's little sister, I not only consider her a good friend of mine, but also a sister.  

Kerri made us a delicious spaghetti and chicken lunch.

And we baked. dessert. which is strange for me, I know. Kerri said it seems like I have a new and sudden love for desserts. Maybe she's right.


Anyway, we made these coconut cranberry bars that are in the Aldi Christmas Flyer. I would give you the recipe, but I left the catalougue at Kerri's so I would just highly reccommend that you go to Aldi, pick up a Christmas Flyer, buy the ingredients, and make these. Pronto. We made a few changes. Some on purpose, others - not so much. First, the recipe called for white chocolate chips. But then I accidently purchased milk chocolate chips. Also, the recipe called for 2 cups of chocolate chips and I don't even really like chocolate that much - so we only did 3/4 of a cup. The recipe called for 1 cup of coconut flakes, but I really like those, so we used probably a cup and a quarter. And if I were to make them again I would add even more coconut.

These were so delicious! Ours were quite thick and pretty gooey. I like them gooey, though. But next time I might spread them out thinner on a larger pan so they are more of a bar.

I can't wait to make these for Christmas Parties this year!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

38 Weeks

So. I made it to 38 weeks. I seriously don't know how much longer I can make it. Last night, I honestly thought I was going into labor. I was having really frequent contractions for about a half hour. Martin was freaking out, but then everything was fine. Except that she was squirming all over the place! I'm not talking little movements, I'm talking my entire stomach is doing summersaults for 45 minutes straight. I'm talking, Martin feels like the kicking is hurting him as it hits him through my body. I'm talking, I can't quite confirm this, but Martin swears he could feel the baby kicking through my butt.

I mentioned something about all this to my doctor today, because from what I've read the baby is supposed to slow down in movement towards the end of pregnancy! My doctor said that is usually the case, but it seems I have quite the athlete in there (something he's been saying for a while now - based on the heartbeat).

So, I'm three centimeters dialated now! The doctor set up another appointment for next Tuesday, but when I asked him if I would have the baby before that his remark was
"Well, I couldn't tell you with any certainty at all, but it is quite possible that you have it in the next week"

We shall see!

Monday, November 8, 2010

These Make Me Smile

I've been dying to go shopping lately. By lately, I mean, I've been dying to go shopping for the last five months. Basically since the time my clothes started not fitting me, I've been dying to get new clothes. Of course, I haven't been able to do that - mostly because I'm petrified to buy anything for fear I will never by my old size again.

And then, the greatest thing happened. I was at the construction site for the new store last Thursday and I stepped in wet cement.

What that doesn't sound like the greatest thing to you? What's wrong with you?

You see, I didn't just lightly step in wet cement, I plunged my right leg into wet cement. In the process, I ruined a pair of black work shoes. My only pair of black work shoes. So I had to go to Payless that night and get new shoes so I would have something to wear the following day.  So I went to Payless and picked up a replica of the pair I had ruined. Then I realized they were having a buy 1 get one half off sale. 

 So I got these. Because they're super fun! And I really like red but I can't wear it in any sort of proximity to my face (due to the red hair) so it's best if I keep it low, like on my feet. I think (once I fit into any of my dresses) they are going to look so cute with a dress and black tights.
So, yeah. That's my big, impractical excitement. Praise Wet Cement!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

I Love This

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles."



- Audrey Hepburn



I just found this quote and I love it! So, I wanted to share it. Happy Fall Back Day!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Halloween 2010

I was really excited about Halloween this year. I mean how often are you eight and a half months pregnant during halloween.


Gabe usually has an amazing party every year. But this year he didn't. So, although I still wanted to participate in Halloween, Martin was thinking about sitting this Halloween out.


Instead, we improvised. And we went over to our good friends' Jenny and Matt Powell for chili.


Then we hung out there all night.

 And it was actually really fun having a low key halloween.

 I went as 16 and pregnant and Martin went as the gym coach that knocked me up.

And then we stopped by the bar at the end of the night to see Gabe, who dressed up as Mr. T.  And looked absolutely amazing! I mean, he looked just like Mr. T. And it was amazing! And then we danced for one song. And I love dancing!!!!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Apologies All Around

I am completely aware that I sort of suck. Halloween was last weekend and I have yet to post pictures. Do I have a good excuse for this? Of course not.

Maybe tomorrow.


In the meantime, here's an amazing picture of Martin and I that I recently stumbled across. It was taken almost three years ago when we visited Martin's sister Ingrid in Texas.

It just really makes me laugh.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Full-Term

So, as of Tuesday I was 37 weeks or full-term! Pretty exciting stuff, huh? Anyway, so basically I could potentially have this baby any day now, although the doctor tells me that I haven't dropped yet (which I am fully aware of because she's still kicking out my rib cage like its her job).

Doctor: The thing is, you still have your sense of humor about you - so it's probably going to be at least two weeks.
Me: Ha. Really?
Doctor: That's usually a better indicator than anything scientific so tell your husband that the morning when he wakes up and asks you how you feel and you throw something at him - that will probably be the week.

*phone conversation with Martin shortly after*
Me: So, the doctor says I'm probably not going to have the baby for at least another two weeks because I still have a sense of humor.
Martin: I know, I have been really impressed with you. You really are nothing like the horror stories I've been told. I think you've almost been too good because now I've let my guard down and I'm really going to be blindsided.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

A Full Excursion

Last night, Martin and I went out to dinner with Amber, the girl who is taking over my district, and her boyfriend. As sort of a welcome to Ithaca type of dinner, I suppose.

Amber: So, how many kids do you guys want to have?
Martin: (still entralled on the topic of family vehicles) I think maybe we'll have an Excursion
Amber: FULL????
Martin: Yeah, that would be a badass family vehicle.
Me: No. Amber asked how many kids we want and you said a full excursion.
Martin: Oh. Yeah, what the hell. I figure now that we've started we might-as-well knock it all out of the way.

Monday, November 1, 2010

My Life Gets Crazier By The Minute

Me: Well, if we're going to watch Saturday Night Live, I'm going to have a Diet Pepsi Wild Cherry!
Martin: Oh yeah, I see you have another crazy night planned. I'm going to take my pants off if we're going to watch tv.
Me: Well, I'm going to take my bra off.
Martin: That's a strange choice, 'I'm going to go under two other layers to take off this one article of clothing'



Martin and I having a conversation about one-night stands.
Martin: Look, I know what you're trying to do here and I don't regret any decisions I've made in my life. I just had to screw a lot fewer people before I found the one I wanted to screw forever.

Martin: And, if that's not quotable I don't know what is!