Oh hello, it's been awhile...

I knew it had been awhile since I last posted, I think about the blog everyday, but DANG I didn't realize it had been THIS long. It was so nice to receive a text from a friend today saying "hey! we miss the updates!" I LOVE that my friends and family care to follow Mak's journey of growing up!

We had a crazy busy summer that was full of fun trips, and awesome visitors - I'll be catching up with all those photos soon - you'll literally be able to watch Makaela grow through the pictures, it's gonna be great. But for tonight I wanted to share some photos from story time at the library this week!

Mak has been going to story time since she was 6 months old, so almost a year now. Wowzers. When we first started going I was proud that she could sit up on her own. Now she points out the characters in the stories we read, claps and acts out the songs we sing, play dress up and actually understands how to help clean up all the toys at the end of the program ;-)

She loves wearing the dress up hats at story time...and passing them out to other parents and kids to wear, whether they want to or not ;-)  

It's been so fun not only watching her grow up, but also watching her pals grow up. We've made some great friends through the program, and are always meeting new people who have just moved to the area. I love that Mak gets to play and learn with her buddies and I get to hang with some cool parents.

I swear this isn't child labor, haha. The kids seriously won't let us clean up the rug, they insist on doing it together. Teamwork!

I'm so thankful for the programs our libraries put on - they do an amazing job!

Alright guys, I'm making some changes with the workload for my job so blog posts will be MUCH more frequent...I may even annoy you. I'm serious this time. Count on it! XoXo

Photography Class

On Sunday I took a 5 hour digital photography class. It was awesome!!! Normally I have a hard time sitting through a 2 hour movie, but I was totally engaged in this class and didn't even yawn once, haha.

A couple months ago I started looking into newborn photographers. I really want to get newborn photos done to capture those early moments. Aren't all those professional photos you see breathtaking and adorable?!

Most photographers recommend having the photos done when the baby is between 3-10 days old. Sounds a little overwhelming to add this to the mix of the early days when we'll be learning about being parents, but at the same time if we don't do them we know we'll regret it.

The price points were pretty high. All of the photographers we researched are very talented and worth every dime however we wondered if there was an alternative. Tim suggested that I take a photography class because we have a really nice camera, and it's a hobby I've been wanting to develop. I figured why not give it a shot; I could definitely benefit from learning some skills that will help me get great photos throughout the little one's life.

Best decision ever! Thanks hubs!! I learned SO much and feel like I truly have an understanding of the important technical elements that go into making a photo great. I'm super excited to practice and look at things in a different, creative way. Not to mention, photography will probably teach me patience as I try to get the perfect shot, and spend hours editing etc.

I already have a wish list of lenses, software, equipment and props I want....uh oh!

Update on classes

We finished all of our pre-natal classes! All of the classes we attended were offered through our hospital. We learned a lot of great information and received a ton of helpful paperwork, but it's kind of nice to be able to check those classes off the to-do list.

Sitting through 2 hour classes during dinner time, after a full day at work = not the most fun.

The first class we went to was a Breastfeeding Class. I didn't know a lot about breastfeeding other than what I've read online....and you know ladies love to share their horror/failure stories more than their success stories on the ol' world wide web.

This class really put me at ease and made me feel a lot more comfortable with the idea. I went from being pretty sure I couldn't do it/it wouldn't work out, to thinking "hey, I think I can do this."

Don't get me wrong, playing with a doll and fake boob was weird. And, if I REALLY think about a baby sucking fluid out of me I get grossed out. And, many of the suggestions to get the baby to latch made me giggle...but I'm still going to give it a go.

The next class we had was Infant-Child Safety. This was a fairly short class, but they gave out lots of brochures and papers to take home. We talked about everything from efficient child-proofing, to carseat safety and SIDS. Oh, and we even scored a prize at this class....heck yeah.

Our third class was the Birth Plan/Tour of L&D. Sadly, we didn't actually get a tour of the delivery rooms because there were a crap load of ladies in labor, and they need to keep a certain number of rooms sterile, in case a mama gets rushed in. However, the discussion about birth plans was very beneficial. Tim and I both loved the nurse that held the class and are crossing our fingers that somehow we get her on the big day. I had some crazy fears that this hospital was going to be super strict, and set in their ways and would force me to do things I didn't want to do, and would confine me to the hospital bed for the whole labor. I was worried for real. Fortunately, I found out I was WAY wrong and I have tons of choices. All of the things I *think* I want are feasible. I'm still terrified of that getting-closer-by-the-minute-day of course, but at least I know (assuming me and baby are progressing normally) I can do what I want, yo. Anything to ward off at least one meltdown or panic attack, right?

The last class we took was What to Expect in Labor/Pain Management/Newborn Care. This class discussed a lot about the progression of labor and different options for pain management. We were not a fan of the nurse that held this class. Tim had it right when he said "I feel like she'd be pushy." At the end they showed a birth video. It was at that point in the class that Tim peaced out. It was mostly animated (thank.god) and of course showed calm moms and was narrated by people with soothing voices (think opposite of "A Baby Story") I stayed to watch, but covered my eyes for the delivery portion. Eww. Please....I.don't.need.to.know. I will most definitely NOT be the lady that requests a mirror or wants to look at the head as it's coming out...in fact, I don't even want to see any of the medical tools. K thanks.

So there you have it, we're all educated and stuff now ;-)

Gettin' our learn on

Now that we've entered the third trimester (whoa!) it's time to get serious about enrolling in some of the voluntary classes our hospital has to offer.

I'm a bit overwhelmed by the amount of appointments/classes I now have...January and February are going to be busy!!

We are scheduled for a breastfeeding class (the thought still makes me giggle), an infant and child safety class, "what to expect in labor and pain management" and a tour of the labor suites. We'll keep ya posted as we complete the classes...

When it comes to labor I tread lightly in the research department. I know myself, and I know that sometimes ignorance is bliss :)

I did however buy a book about "active birth" which for the most part discusses getting your mind in the right place on that day....totally did NOT anticipate there being photos....of women....delivering babies....on all fours. Wowzers. I could have done without the visuals!!!

I prefer to read funny books about parenting, and there are a lot out there. One of them had a a few pages talking about how "babies basically try and commit suicide everyday....they roll off changing tables, stick their finger in outlets....what's wrong with them?!"  Crap. hahahah.