Lamaze Update & Other Notes

Well, this week at Lamaze class we definitely got past the introductory material! The teacher first demonstrated the process of birth using a skeleton pelvis, a stuffed placenta & a cabbage patch doll...interesting. She also had a chart that went through the Stages of Labor which was funny because next to each stage there was a pregnant woman's face showing her expression - the first one of course had a big smile, and by the end it was not so pretty!

We then watched 2 videos of births - which Son had never seen before.

I guess that being a woman you kind of know what it is going to be like, even if you have never seen it before - or maybe it's the fact that my mom taught Lamaze classes while my sister and I were growing up - or perhaps, it is the numerous episodes of "A Baby Story" that I have seen on TLC, but I basically knew what to expect. Not Son!

It was funny to look a this face through the videos and see his reactions. After we left class that night he decided that he did want to be in the delivery room, but that he would be staying "up by my head" and not going "down there". Don't get me wrong, he is going to be very supportive and into the process. And actually, I don't know if I really want him seeing all of the details - but we had a good time talking about it.

We both decided that we really hope that my mom makes it in time to be there for the birth!

We also got Son's training schedule for February with OD - he will be in Tallahassee training all month. They were able to work it out so that he would have Tuesdays off so he could drive back to Jacksonville for our Lamaze class, and he has all but 1 Sunday off - those were our top 2 priorities so we are happy with it, although I will miss him since he will be gone about 3 nights a week for the next month!

Hope you have a Happy Friday!!

29 Week Update

WARNING - Pictures may be disturbing to some viewers!

Well, I can't believe that I only have 11 weeks to go (or less) until the big day! It has really flown by as we finish our last minute preparations & start thinking about being parents. Here is a pic of my 29 week "bump" - I warned you! I love it, but to those who don't get excited about expanding waistlines & visible veins, you may not want to look too close!

We had our first Lamaze class last week! The first class was an overview of things that we really should know already (eat right, don't smoke, don't do drugs, etc) - I sincerely hope that no one was hearing this stuff for the first time! But, in the second half of the class we sat on the floor and practiced relaxation techniques which was fun. We were laughing at first because it was kind of awkward siting in Son's lap with him rubbing my belly in front of a bunch of strangers, but it actually felt really nice, so we enjoyed that. Plus, Collin was kicking Son the whole time so that was pretty funny too! Our next class is tomorrow night...

I also got one of the curtain panels finished for Collin's room. I am ready to be finished with all the sewing, it has been fun but is taking a while since we have been so busy on the weekends that I have just been able to spend a few hours here and there on the week nights - but finally all I have left is 1 more panel and then the diaper stacker, which shouldn't be too difficult...I promise more pics once I get the curtains hung up.

In other Vuong Family news...it has been a difficult past few months for Son's job - we love his current position, but due to the economy affecting the business we have been praying that God would give us direction in his career. It was a very difficult decision, and one that received much prayer from us, our friends & family, but God has made it very obvious to us, and Son has decided to accept back his old position with Office Depot as Store Manager. He starts on February 2nd, and will be traveling to Tallahassee for the next 4 weeks. We are excited about this opportunity and just continue to pray for God's will in our lives.

Another Busy Weekend...

It seems like we have been running around like crazy people lately. I can't remember the last time that I just sat on the couch to relax or watch TV. On Friday after work we went to our friends Josh & Rebecca's house for a fun game night with our small group. We played Celebrity Sports Wii, and I have some hilarious pictures of the guys playing the horse racing game...I will have to post them later!

Then, Saturday morning we cleaned house (yuck!) and then I went to my friend Annie's house for a Mary Kay Party. Her husband Matt came over and ate burgers and watched Lord of the Rings with Son & the dogs. Saturday night we went bowling...not my favorite activity, but we had a great time - we even made a late night stop at McDonald's for french fries & Apple pies (Hey - you can do that kind of stuff when you're pregnant & not feel so guilty about it)!

Then Sunday morning we had a very exciting announcement from our friends Brad & Whitney - they are pregnant & expecting their first baby in August, just 4 months after us!!!!!!! I am so excited for them & that Collin will have another little playmate! They are going to be great parents - although Brad said a few weeks ago that we shouldn't trust him with our child :) maybe he was just trying to get out of babysitting duty.

Sunday afternoon I went shopping at Jo Ann's & Target for a few more things for the baby room & then Sunday night it was back to church. Whew...I am tired all over again just thinking about it all.

In other news...we start our Childbirth Classes at the hospital tomorrow night, so that should be interesting...

Happy Monday!

Message From Beau

We interrupt this blog for a message from Beau...

"Hi, my name is Beau. I just wanted to let everyone know about some of the unusual things that have been happening at our house lately. First, my mommy & daddy took everything out of the garage & then put the treadmill and a few other things from in the house out there. That was a fun day because I got to play outside all day with them while they were cleaning. Then, they painted the office/FSU room blue. I think they did that for me because they know that my favorite color is blue. Then they got me a new bed and put it in the room, but I haven't figure out how to get in it yet except when they put me in it to try it out. I also have something called a stroller that is fun to ride around the house in, I also have a swing but I don't like that very much.

The latest addition to the room is a rocking chair! I love to sit in the chair and my mommy will cover me up with one of my new blankets, or my mommy will sit with me and read me books - but she keeps calling me "Collin" when she is reading the books which I don't understand. She mostly reads me baby books, which I don't mind because I will always be her baby. I wonder why they have set up this room just for me, they know that I sleep in their room with them!

Also, my mommy keeps bringing home outfits that I know are way too small for daddy & hanging them in the blue room. Then, there were some stuffed turtles that she brought home from the store. They looked just like most of my other toys, but when I tried to get one to play with she wouldn't let me. Maybe she is saving them for my birthday?

Anyways, I will let you know what happens next, but something is definitely going on around here!"

Still a Texan at Heart!

Even though I call Florida my home & have lived here for over 5 years now, I think that I will always consider myself a Texan. I just don't think that any other state has such "state pride" as Texas. Here are a few things that are unique about being a Texan, courtesy of an email from my Mom (she always reminds me of where my true "home" is).

You are a Texan if:
1. You can properly pronounce Corsicana, Palestine, Decatur, Wichita Falls, San Antonio, Burnet, Boerne, Nacogdoches, Mexia, Waco, Amarillo, and Waxahachie.

2. A tornado warning siren is your signal to go out in the yard and look for a funnel.

3. You've ever had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.

4. You know that the true value of a parking space is not determined by the distance to the door, but by the availability of shade.

5. Stores don't have bags, they have sacks.

6. You see people wear bib overalls at funerals.

7. You measure distance in minutes.

8. Little Smokies are something you serve only for special occasions.

9. You go to the lake because you think it is like going to the ocean.

10. You listen to the weather forecast before picking out an outfit.

11. You know cow-pies are not made of beef.

12. Someone you know has used a football schedule to plan their wedding date.

13. You have known someone who has had a belt buckle bigger than your fist.

14. You aren't surprised to find movie rental, ammunition, and bait all in the same store.

15. Your "place at the lake" has wheels under it.

16. A Mercedes Benz is not a status symbol; a Ford F350 4x4 is.

17. You know everything goes better with Ranch dressin'.

18. You learned how to shoot a gun before you learned how to multiply.

19. You actually understand this and you are "fixin' to" send it to your friends.

20. Finally, you are 100% Texan if you have ever heard this conversation: " You wanna coke?" "Yeah." "What kind?" "Dr. Pepper."

Hope you enjoy! Happy Monday!

Random Comments & Observations

Okay, if you can't tell by the fact that my entire blog is dedicated to the baby, I absolutely LOVE being pregnant! But, sometimes I have to laugh at the random comments that people give me & the silly things that happen to me. I thought I would share a few of the things that have made me laugh lately.

These 2 made me laugh this morning as they were literally about 10 minutes apart & totally contradicting each other:

"Oh, your baby is so low - you can definitely tell it's a boy" - comment by co-worker

"Wow, your baby is really sitting high. I bet he's kicking you in the ribs." - comment by a different co-worker

This was funny also...and both were made by well-meaning, sweet relatives who I love dearly:

"You are too small to be ___ weeks"

"I don't think you are going to make it another ___ weeks"

I have 2 friends who are pregnant who don't even show (they are both ahead of me) & 2 friends that are showing more than me, so sorry but there is no "normal" in bump size.

This was also at work - did he think that I was planning on actually going into labor sitting at my desk?

Co-worker: When are you planning on going out on maternity leave?
Julie: I don't have a set date. I'm going to keep working as long as possible.
Co-worker: Are you sure? I am trained in first aid, but I don't think I could deliver a baby.

As much as I love wearing maternity pants (they are super comfortable) they have really ugly waistbands. I walked by a co-worker and noticed that she kind of looked at me funny, then I had to walk back by and she pulled me over to the side & we had this very awkward conversation:

Co-worker: Julie, I think that you have your shirt tucked into your underwear in the back
(mortified, I did a quick check to make sure this was not the case. I realized that my shirt was pulled up slightly in the back & part of the waistband on my pants was showing - not a big deal)
Julie: Oh no, that's just the waistband on my maternity pants showing
Co-worker: are you sure?
Julie: Yes (showing her the pants)

I think that when you either want to be pregnant, or are pregnant that other pregnant women are either more noticed, or somehow attracted by some unknown pregnancy radar...

Even before we were pregnant with Collin it seemed that as soon as we were "trying" that the world population of women was about 50% pregnant! They were everywhere! And, that continues to be the case.

For example, I was at Target yesterday buying a gift for a friend's baby shower. I was in a hurry to get back to work so I picked the shortest checkout line without really paying attention and got behind another lady. Well, she turned around and I noticed that she was pregnant. A few seconds later someone else gets in line behind me and I here "this must be the expectant mothers line" - she was pregnant too! This seriously happens to me all the time now.

Have a Happy Friday!!

Busy on the Baby Room

Well, to say the least we have been very busy over the past few days! We got back from our Christmas Vacation and immediately started on the garage. Son took everything out of the garage and painted it. Then he got several organizers and set it up so that we can have all of our usual storage, the treadmill, Son's FSU stuff, the kayak, and still fit both cars. It was quite an accomplishment! Then, last Friday he painted Collin's room and we got started moving everything in there on Saturday. We cleaned up the crib and changing table that we brought back from Tyler (this was actually my crib from when I was a baby) and our friends Matt & Annie helped us move it in the room. This week I have started on sewing the bedding for the bed. Here are some pictures from the room of our progress...

This is the crib with the bedding I have made so far...4 out of 6 bumper pads completed!

This is a cute little cross for the room that my mom gave us for Christmas.

Annie & me hanging up clothes in the closet

Son & Matt assembling the swing (Before & After) - it came out of the box in about a billion pieces, but they were able to figure it out.

Son & Matt assembling the crib...Beau helped!

We have really had fun getting ready for Collin & are trying to get as much done as possible while I still have energy. I can't believe that we have less than 14 weeks left!