Introducing...

Shelby Marie Anderson!

We welcomed a new member of our family on 7.13.11 at 8:23am.

She weighed 7lbs 9oz and was 18 1/2 inches long.

We are so excited to have her here, and our family of 2 has grown to be a family of 3. I already can't imagine life without her!

The delivery was a scheduled c-section for medical reasons. Basically the risk/benefit outcome was more favorable for Mom and baby if we went with a c-section, so, weighing the decision was easy. Yes, I was bummed that I couldn't even "try" a "normal" delivery, but in the end, the process was SO much better than I had imagined it would be, and I am healing and feeling well. Most importantly, Shelby is here healthy and happy, and we are thankful for the wonderful medical professionals that were involved that made the experience, well, smooth!

Life at home has been a bit of an adjustment, but she is an amazing baby. Sleeps well, isn't fussy, is adorable to look at, and pretty much the love of my life! My Mom was here for 5 days, and I can't even say what an amazing help she was! She allowed me to catch some extra Zzzz's in the morning, made me breakfast, lunch, and did my laundry. Most of all she was able to spend quality bonding time with the babe and I, and sadly, she left today with tears shed by both of us. Meanwhile, Dave is telling her that he isn't looking forward to the time when she has homework and he has to help her...

Let's take this step by step Dave! She's only a week old!

Not the "plan"

My last day of work was supposed to be yesterday, Friday 6/24.

I was going to start swimming in the evenings and relax and float around.

There were things to clean, nesting that I had the urge to do and laundry in the dryer.

Relaxing and grabbing lunch with my friends was on my to-do list.

But apparently life has other plans...because

I've been here since Tuesday night.

Monday at my Dr.'s appointment I was told i needed to be done with work.

Looked like pre-eclampsia was creeping up.

My feet were horribly swollen.

My blood pressure was going up.

So the Dr. ordered tests, and me to admit myself for observation.

I cried. Alot.

I showered.

I packed an overnight bag.

I left the house in my terms, a mess.

And i've been in since then.

Luckily, I think things happened for a reason. After my initial frustration and sadness, I came to terms with it. Nothing I can do to change it...so embrace it. So here I lay. I've been laying. And laying some more. My swelling decreased. So did my blood pressure. Blood counts went up. Tests came back negative, throwing Dr's for a loop. So I stayed. And I think it's what was needed to get my body back to a better place for our little one.

I've slept. And slept. AND SLEPT.

I've watched a lot of HGtv.

And foodnetwork.

I've checked facebook more times than should be legal.

I've done some easy crosswords.

I've prayed.

I've had kind visitors to pass my time and show me they care :)

And Dave has been wonderful. I love that man. He is a do-er when it needs to be done. He has sat with me. Watched TV with me. Went home and cleaned the house for me. Went to Target for me. Has taken care of the dog. And he is in the process of getting cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory for me. He has been kind and loving. And I know it must not be easy for him.

So here's to relaxing! Now I think I'll try to finish a crossword puzzle...

I'm lucky to have...

myself one of these...
A bona fide best friend.

And today is her birthday!

I love my Katie.

I suppose it's the kind of love sisters can share, but since I don't have one of those, she's mine.

I love that we met 24 years ago.

I love that we lived 3 houses away for the next 20 years.

I love that she knows everything there is to know about me.

I love that I know all there is to know about her.

I love her children.

I love that our husbands are friends and at times eerily similar.

She listens. She laughs. She makes me laugh. She agrees. She doesn't judge. She makes me feel justified, even when I'm not.

She gives advice. Honest, I-may-not-want-to-hear-it advice.

I don't tire of her. I don't get offended by her. I don't get jealous of her.

We can just "be" when we're together.

We can always find conversation.

We can not talk for a week and it never feels awkward or strained.

We can relate, even though life had different plans for us the last 8 years.

There's just one Katie to me, and I'm grateful for her!

Happy Birthday to my best friend, and here's to many more years!!

xoxo

Life, lately...

So after scouring Etsy day.after.day.after.day and being completely undecisive about what our little one's room should look like, i think i've found what i want! I am convo-ing tuft love fabrics and am totally excited about where things are heading! I won't give you too much more detail yet, i'll wait until things are a bit more final. BUT I'm happy with what I've decided on! Next steps around the Anderson casa is to get a crib and paint the dresser we already have to match. I'm excited to see things take shape! I started to register thru Target.com. Sadly, Babies R Us is lame and because their 'city' space is limited in the registry, our full city name doesn't fit. SO, it says it can't match the zip code to the city. DUH. (idiots). So i guess i'll have to go in to register. On some other notes...today was my 25 week checkup. Looking good. Heartbeat was normal, peed in a cup...you know, the norm! haha. Next appoinment: Glucose test. Ick. Yesterday was our niece Kensie's baby blessing. It was nice to be together with the family. And Kensie is so stinkin' cute! The weather is great, we have a good friends wedding this weekend and the weather is supposed to be beautiful! Can't wait!

Nursery decor...

Oh my. Decisions, decisions. Since the day after we found out we are having a girl, i've been thinking about nursery decor. I have criteria to start with.

There will be the following:

• No Characters. Of any kind. No Winnie the Pooh, no Princesses. No thank you.



• Not much pink, and even less purple...



• A comfy upholstered chair. Not a la-z-boy. But one that gldes/rocks and maybe swivels.



• A dresser that Dave needs to re-finish with new hardware.

I found these curtains at Z Gallery, and am thinking 'jumping off point'? And the lamp in the photo?...Love it...and found it on overstock.com...

Storytime, Best Chair glider. It was SO comfy! (In another fabric)

An ABC print from Etsy...

Now i just need to find some CUTE white crib bedding, or a pattern that will compliment the decor...any ideas?

You know it's been a while when...

You have to re-type your username/password 4 times because you forgot which one it was! Duh!

So on to better news...it's been confirmed (and if you're on my FB or a personal friend, this is OLD news....

It's a GIRL!

We are excited to have a girl on the way!

I think that when we found out:

a. I was initially a bit shocked (why? who knows. I knew I was pregnant and didn't have my heart set on a boy...I guess reality just set in!)

b. I started to get excited for all things girly! The ideas started swirling in my head, and I felt like I could really plan for the future. Strollers, nursery deocr, names, cute clothes...the works!

And in other breaking news...I stumbeled upon some websites I don't know how I didn't know about before.

I was on a blog I enjoy getting ideas from, and saw these member only sights that offer daily deals at discounted prices. And I mean good stuff! Like what you ask? For example, today at Hautelook, Stila Makeup and Joes Jeans are discouted and available for sale.

On Joss and Main Analon bakeware is on sale, and the Foundary has Calphalon! Sweet!

I'm going to list them all below, and if you're not a member, please join. Not just for me, but because of the sheer amazingness of deals and online shopping opportunitites that you can open up for yourself. haha. And yes, when you join, and invite your friends, you get credit. How pyramid sheme-ish you may say...BUT there aren't any strings attached. No fees, no nothing. Just pure simple shopping joy, given from one member to another :)

HauteLook:

http://www.hautelook.com/invite/SAnderson693

Joss and Main:

http://www.jossandmain.com/store/myinvite/b6q

The Foundary:

http://www.thefoundary.com/invite/sarahanderson83

One Kings Lane:

https://www.onekingslane.com/invite/sarahanderson53

You can thank me later ;)

xoxo

From two....

to three...

The time has come that our Anderson family of two is expanding!

We will be welcoming a little one in July (July 23rd is the due date)

Now to answer all the commonly asked questions:

...I'm feeling great actually! Besides being really fatigued the first trimester, I've been very lucky so far to have not been sick (knock on wood).

...I'm 16 weeks.

...No, we don't know what we're having yet. But yes, we will find out soon.

...Yes, we're excited! And so are the families! The 'reality' of it hasn't really sunk in yet though. I mean, yes, I've heard a heartbeat and seen the ultrasounds, BUT I haven't felt sick, and I haven't felt it kick, and I'm not rocking a 'real' baby bump just yet.

So there you have it, i've officially put it out there in the blogging world. How official of me...

:)