debra parker | one girl

celebrating JUDE.

If you want to know the truth I think my very own Carly had the best day of her life.  She loved this party.  She loved the gifts.  She was so surprised when something 'she' registered for was unwrapped.  She may have even broke into a sweat.  I love that girl.  And I love how excited she is for our baby boy.

It was fun to see so many of my friends and family.  What an honor for them to not only bless me but to celebrate Jude's life.  I only wish I had more time with each of them to linger on fun conversations.

Check out Carly's expression... 

 

Showing sweet Lindsee what it is like to be me (short).

I practiced with Udoro's baby girl, Malle.  Should I be worried after the look on sweet girl's face?

And so much thanks so my sweet hostess, Angela.  We have been friends since high school.  There is just something special about that...

2 9 W E E K S.

2 9 W E E K S.

and counting.

Yay for M E  because...

In this photo I am wearing R E A L clothes.  I have notified my family that this momma might get a lot less modest in the coming months.  I cannot lie, Colt is mortified.  I will keep the clothes on.  It will be hard but it C A N be done.

I have stretch marks going in three distinct D I F F E R E N T directions.  I am not sure I knew that was possible but behold, it is.  I am okay with it because this now less than modest momma is usually V E R Y covered up.  Who needs tattoos when I have permanent, let's now call them L O V E marks.  That is so cheesy. I know.

In the last couple of weeks we purchased a baby bed + changing table at a yard sale for only $40.  They are both in great condition.  I have searched a million different blogs searching for the right inspiration of what to do with Mr. Jude's nursery.  I am at a loss.  R E A L L Y.  I am liking stripes and staying away from anything that is created for nurseries.  No traditional baby bedding for me.  Or at least, I think.

I will soon block all 'baby stories' from my television set.  They are F R E A K I N G me out.  I met with my doula and told her I am getting down right S C A R E D.  Girls, it has been over 10 years.  Can I get an epidural today?  Seriously, I am going to T R Y to go natural.  I hate what pitocin did to my body so I want to steer away from that.  I hear that natural is easier to accomplish without P.  We will see.

uh huh.

Here I sit, 29 weeks, and counting.

flea market brave.

I should be working on the photography website since it recently was utterly and completely lost. instead I find myself here doing this.  and for the record, I do plan on putting photos in the frames...someday. 

***

nesting.  pregnant or not, I am a nester.

anywhere, everywhere, my eye is searching for fun creative nursery ideas.  simple ones.  something different.  something me.  I am not sure that I have a 'style'.  have you taken any of those 'what is your decorating style' quizzes?  mine usually comes up something weird that does not seem to apply.

as I lay in bed last night (the joy of sleeplessness) I decided that my style is flea market brave.  you have never heard of it?  me either.  simply, it means, that I enjoy things used, old, strange, and most of all CHEAP.  and to make the whole situation a little more 'eclectic' throw in some modern country.  to even mention country gives me red itchy hives and has me remember the days of ceramic ducks and dusty rose mini blinds.  I am talking modern country as in a laid back pottery barn meets flea market, and there you find me, I think. 

the other day I walked into my happy store to find paper airplanes hanging from the ceiling. hundreds of them.  and they were marvelous.  I nestled it away and thought of the coming baby boy nursery.  those old maps folded up into paper airplanes would serve as a perfect mobile like thing.  and they were simple and could be very cheap.  yes!

and then I found this.

I hurried and paid the $1 and tucked away my find.  and it made me happy.  that very silly kind of happy.

hopefully E was an expert paper airplane craftsman in his younger years.  somehow I can so envision him spending endless minutes doing projects like that.  and if not, we can always learn.

***

what is your decorating style?  did the quiz hit spot on or do you need to coin your own term?

man, oh, mister man

or should we say BOY, oh BOY...

this crazy four...

welcome the the newest mister to our family... 

one dad + one mom + one girl + three boys = happy family.

boy * girl

the day is almost here.

the one when we hear...

it's a boy or

it's a girl.

this guy is hoping for a girl.  he has always liked a good solid even number.  two boys and two girls.

little man is hoping for a boy.  I slightly overheard him saying it was because he would like to train him. we are all a little unsure of what that means, but I am counting on sweetness.

and, of course, she is pleading for it to be a girl.  her other plea would be for the name ruthie after one of her favorite american girl characters.

and me? I am pleading for a quick and healthy pregnancy. 

heart rate last week: 170
lots of acne + heartburn
+4 lbs as of last month but it feels like 20
belly is round
massive sisters

what is your guess?  boy or girl?

baby belly + 18 weeks

[canon rebel xti. totally rad sx-70.]

did you notice how I tried to shoot a photo with an ice cream prop and a pickle prop that turned into an eaten ice cream prop and an eaten pickle prop. the ice cream started to melt and someone had to eat it. the pickle scent, let's just say, was overwhelming to my senses.

in two short weeks we will hear the boy or girl news.  people keep asking if I have a feeling one way or another.  I don't.  I have never.  the surprise will be worth the wait.  even though, the wait, has come a lot faster than I could have imagined.

each day, each moment, I am relishing in the crazy movements that are taking place just below my skin.  it is so odd and yet so normal.  an almost constant twist and turn and a sure knowledge of the sweet existence of one growing little person.  the motion is so rich that ernest felt our baby for the first time last night.  his smile could have won a prize.  some moments move so fast but are worth being treasured forever.  this was one.

in the last days I have been inspired to have a fun way of sharing boy/girl news with our friends and family.  if it is a boy, the plan is almost set.  and it if is a girl, I am still thinking...and thinking.  carly has already informed me that she would like to be told in a special way.  she is one after my own heart.

here are two links to posts that have inspired me to plan.

mr. man party   full house
goodbyes  tara whitney

if you know me, then you know I am a sucker for sappy, romantic, candle lit evenings.  after reading those posts I found myself wanting to be a part of the story.  that is what a great photos do to me.  they draw me in and leave me wanting to share the moment. oh, debra.

baby names.

It is hard dreaming up the perfect baby name.  Do not even get me started on middle names. This baby may just go without one.  Will he or she feel sad about that?  If so, what will I call baby when they are in trouble?  Kidding. Sort of. 

Which boy/girl name do you like best?  Any other ideas?

Mia.      Greek name meaning nurse/healer.
Luke.    Greek name meaning bringer of light.
Reese.  Welsh name meaning energetic.
Jack.    English name meaning God is gracious.

june 22.

I know, I know.

I have not blogged in a WHILE.

I don't have a good excuse.

If anyone is still here, hello.  And as I say that I am hearing it the way the cheerleaders in 8th grade use to say it, He-He-Hello, He-He-Hello. 

So there you have it.

Tonight, I sit here at my thrifty white antique like desk which fits directly behind my slip covered tan couch.  The couch we bought for our first home over 11 years ago.  Comfort is an understatement.

Anyway.

My days have been filled with being super cool mom.  Super cool mom takes her two to the pool daily.  Super cool mom drives the two to the library at least once a week.  Super cool mom has some sort of fun lunch planned.  And lest we forget, Super cool mom always has pop ice ready for the most heat filled afternoons.

Let me also mention that this super cool mom is growing a baby.  It was more than evident during our recent trip to the movie theater.  The four went to see UP, and I cried like-a-baby. 

And they all said, hormones.

Because I want to ooh and aah you with a captivating ending, does anyone know what to do about pregnancy acne?  It has overtaken my face.  This skin needs some serious help.  If you have a clue, please share.

baby belly [10 weeks]

Can I just say IT WAS HARD TO GET THIS PHOTO...

Ha.

I could do a post on out takes alone.  My face is so serious because every time I would try to smile I would move my hand and almost drop my camera.  I laughed at myself for the ten minutes it took to grab this one shot.

Today marks 11 weeks.  The photo is from 10 weeks.

No, not one, one my regular jeans fit.  That is without the aid of a rubber band looping through the button hole and over the button.  Even that if beginning to be uncomfortable.

A couple of things.

Last week I came to a startling realization.  The weight I held pre-pregnancy is almost the weight I carried as I walked into the hospital to deliver Carly.  I use to be a TINY thing.  And now I have to think of the size I will be +25 - 35 pounds.  Grief.  I just want to forget about numbers all together.

I am a bag lover.  LOVER.  Why is the thought of diaper bags is not so fun?  The ones I have seen at stores are pretty cheesy and downright expensive.  Can I get away with a big purse.  This one is pretty pricey but I could see myself carrying it always.  It seems large enough to fit everything and maybe even the baby.  Help me recall what goes in a diaper bag.  All I can think of is diapers, wipes, hooter hider, pacifier, back up pacifier. 

You are probably thinking I have got a lot of remembering to do.  I am too.

On the adoption front, we are still waiting to enter IBESR.  We have been waiting to enter since late January when I traveled there to drop off my dossier.  The wait is for an abandonment paper.  One paper.  Hopefully, it comes in sooner than later and we can get into this office and begin our official wait.

Must go now.  Time to eat, or else. 

I am pregnant. For real.

I have failed to mention that just about weekly I was thinking maybe I am not pregnant.  I have even run out and bought more pregnancy tests for further proof.  As if the soreness and sickness was not proof enough.  The test always resulted in positive.  But still.

Fast forward.

I am in a let's just say awkward position for my internal ultrasound.  The doctor is searching AND searching.  It seems like minutes go by.  He breaks the silence with and when did you get a positive test?  Umm.

A moment later, I see it.  It is a baby.  A real live baby.  I see the heartbeat.  And to my complete happiness a second later, I hear that magical sound.

I am telling you, there is nothing like the sound of a fetal heartbeat.

I look at Ernest and mention that it has sure been a while since we have heard that sound.

And we are happy.

The baby's heart rate was 168.  Old wives tales would consider that a sign of a girl.

My due date is December 24.  We will see.