8 Months Pregnant

We have hit yet another milestone in pregnancy, the last month! It is all becoming so real! The past few weeks she has grown so much. She loves to stretch side to side and stretch my whole belly out. It is so crazy looking and I honestly feel deformed most of the day. I thought for sure she was sideways, but the doctor said he can feel that her head is down. As releived as I was to hear she was not breech or sideways, I just can not figure out how she can take up my entire belly, rib cage, and have her head down. This makes concern for a large baby!

Cereal anyone?

Okay, so I know it is so silly to show a picture of the top shelf of my pantry - but seriously, look at this cereal! Don't be fooled thinking I only have 10 boxes in there. As you can see there are many boxes behind and on top. I know it doesn't look like the most nutritious diet, but it is my indulgence right now! I never thought I would like cereal, and this is what I have turned into.

THE BIRTHING CLASS

Honestly, what was I thinking? Until last night night I was freaked out, mostly because of all of the uncertainty. Now - I am worse off and freaking out more than ever before.


As we approached the class no one even looked pregnant - so I am feeling huge at this point. They are all due in July and August. I must admit, that may have been the highlight of the night because everyone was looking up to me and pretty jealous of how far along I am. I felt very experienced because none of them knew what a contraction felt like!! Oh, how I wish I didn't know what they felt like! I have been having a lot the past few weeks. The class had videos that no prego should ever watch, so I had to sit there trying to be mature about the images that were flashing on the screen. Oh boy, what did I get myself into? There are just too many scenarios in birthing. I have heard knowledge is power, but somehow I feel very powerless! The whole way home Rhett kept saying "this labor thing is going to take forever, man, it is going to be hours and hours." I was feeling rather annoyed by his comments - he was feeling very sorry for himself of how bored he was going to be through the whole process.


Well, hopefully our next class will be more enlightening - only 3 more classes to go until I will have all power of birthing knowledge!

Hiccups!

Last week while trying to sleep my little girl just kept nudging me. It was so constant and I just couldn't figure out what she was trying to do. I kept saying to Rhett, ' what is she doing? why won't she just leave me alone? why won't she just stop hitting me? ' I was obviously getting frustrated with her. It then occurred to me these were the hiccups. I had heard this could happen, but I didn't expect it to feel like the Morris Code. Ever since last week she has been getting them more and more. I guess she is just reminding me that she is still there and I need to have a little more compassion on her!

Shower for two preggies

Thanks Lisa and Erin for throwing a shower for Brooke and I. We are both due with girls just a month apart. Don't be fooled by who looks larger though, Brooke is due in 3 weeks!! Congrats Brooke, you look great. Thanks everyone for coming. Hannah, Krystle, and Steph - we missed you... This is my cousin Lisa and I. We are due with girls within 2 days of each other - how fun. I think I win!
Erin, Brooke, Me, Lisa, Julie...so fun to see you all!

Emily's Birthday

We went to Cheesecake Factory for my sister's birthday. They got there at 5:00 and we didn't sit until 7:00. Worth the wait? Yes, but do not starve a pregnant lady like that again.

100 Things About Me! I have enjoyed reading these so I thought I would join in the fun...

1. I am married to Rhett Jerome Germer.
2. We have been married almost 4 years - whoa!
3. We are due with our first baby on May 10.
4. I have not had an easy pregnancy - not because of complications, but I have been so sick...
5. I am very grateful to be pregnant.
6. We are naming our baby Lucy.
7. We have 18 nieces and nephews.
8. I love to eat out, I could do it for every meal.
9. I used to like to cook, I am hoping I will enjoy it again someday.
10. I love coffee ice cream.
11. I don't know if I like coffee.
12. Over the years I have been a nanny to over 14 children (not at the same time!).
13. I graduated from the University of Utah in Human Development.
14. I am now a legal assistant for my dad.
15. I took Interior Design classes all through high school and my first year of college.
16. I love to decorate, but am very indecisive.
17. I never used to be indecisive, but I have a hard time making decisions about anything these days.
18. I am 25 years old.
19. I have been skydiving in Hawaii.
20. I have been to Hawaii 8 times, but I have never been off of North America.
21. I love to daydream about great vacations.
22. I can lay out for days at a time. However, I now wear sunscreen and have a red headed husband who can't be out too long.
23. I can't wait to see what color of hair Lucy will have.
24. I have died my hair many colors including: almost black, purple - accident, bright red - accident, auburn, brown, dark blonde, platinum blonde - Rhett likes it when I am blonde.
25. The first time I died my hair was in 8th grade, and it has been colored ever since!
26. Rhett and I sleep in a king size bed. We have a very hard time sharing a queen size. We both love our space.
27. I am a very light sleeper.
28. I sleep with a fan on for white noise.
29. Rhett loves the fan, but he will not admit it.
30. I love to shop.
31. I can always find a great deal.
32. I always have stuff to take back. Things always look different when I get home.
33. I bought 4 crib bedding sets before I found 'the one'.
34. This habit drives Rhett in sane, but I am always consistent in taking things back.
35. Rhett and I do not shop well together.
36. I love to shop for gifts.
37. I get my shopping habits from my mom.
38. I am very street smart.
39. I was a tom boy growing up.
40. Growing up I was always better than the boys in sports.
41. I won a coed push-up contest in 9th grade.
42. I have not done a push up for a very long time.
43. My favorites sport to play is volleyball.
44. I play volleyball Tuesday nights with some girls in my ward.
45. I have to serve underhand and I move very slow!
46. Rhett works all holidays.
47. It used to be really hard, but I am just used to it now.
48. I had braces for 7 months in college.
49. It was very embarrassing.
50. I love my new perfume Daisy by Marc Jacobs.
51. I have tried many different creams to help my belly from itching.
52. The best one is the Coconut Butter Stick from Body Shop.
53. I do all the bills, financing, and taxes.
54. Rhett goes to Baltimore 3 1/2 weeks before the baby is due.
55. This freaks me out.
56. I am very proud of my hubby, he is a great salesman.
57. I love my discount at RCWilley.
58. I am a Pittsburgh Steelers fan thanks to my husband.
59. I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters.
60. I have 6 sister-in-laws and 7 brother-in-laws. .
61. My youngest brother is on a mission in Southern California.
62. The only soda I used to like was Dr. Pepper.
63. I switched to Diet Coke all the sudden last year. I can not wait to drink it again!
64. I currently eat around 4 bowls of cereal a day.
65. If I could, I would have several strollers, one for every type of outing.
66. I do not like to eat fish.
67. I love veggies.
68. My birthday is December 17.
69. I used to hate my name.
70. I hate knees.
71. I won't let anyone touch my knees.
72. I don't like to watch anyone touch their own knees.
73. No, I will never get over this.
74. I love to have my alone time.
75. I love time with my husband.
76. I am loving this warmer weather.
77. I have never had long hair.
78. I love to grow it out just passed my shoulders and then chop it.
79. All of my family are scuba certified.
80. When I am diving, I am always nervous of what is behind me.
81. While trying to swim with the dolphins in the ocean I was rescued by life gaurds.
82. They said me and my friends were shark bate. We were out way too far.
83. I have a longboard.
84. I used to think I was really cool when I would ride it.
85. I love churros.
86. I love anything fried with cinnamon on it.
87. My favorite show is One Tree Hill.
88. I know that is so trashy, but seriously. I love it. This season is better than ever!
89. I used to get migraines that would last 2 days. I would get them on all major holidays due to excitement.
90. I would have to lay in the dark and no one could touch me. I would just cry and cry and then throw up and throw up.
91. They were really scary. I have not had one since 8th grade -whew!
92. I have never broken a bone.
93. I still have one baby tooth.
94. My favorite color is green.
95. I think windshield wipers are frustrating.
96. I hate to know if a surprise is coming. I can't stand the anticipation.
97. Rhett loves to tell me he has a surprise and then not tell me what the surprise is.
98. He always ends up telling me because I get so frustrated.
99. As long as it is a good surprise, I am then satisfied.
100. I wear the pants in our family!!!
101. I need to get back to work, thanks for reading!
     
     

PEEPS

This picture is happiness! I love love love Peeps. I have been known to eat a whole box in a day! Not fresh of course, you have to give them air so they are super chewy. Yum. Peeps anyone?

Caught on Camera!

This is a classic picture of Liam and Grace - they have the ultimate love/hate relationship. They are always begging to play together, but when they get together we are all on our toes! Don't think that this was all Liam, I am sure Grace started it! Last night we had Liam and Lance over and I said the prayer for dinner. After the prayer Liam said "thankful for Grace my cousin." My brother said he prays for her everyday!

Button, button who's got the button????

While Grace, my niece, was examining my belly our conversation went something like this....

Grace: Where is your belly button Holly?

Holly: It is right here. (I pointed to my belly button - well, seriously I wouldn't call it a belly button anymore.)

Grace: No, Holly that is not a belly button. This is a belly button. (she lifted up her shirt and

showed me what a real belly button looked like.)

Holly: It is right here.

Grace: No, it is missing.

Holly: Well, I guess I don't have one.

Grace: Hmmm. (feeling very sorry for me)

More from Grace...Ever since she found out I was pregnant she has been obsessed with my baby. In the beginning she would put her hands on my belly and wait for the baby to 'kick'. She soon caught on to what the 'kicking' was all about, and now we all get to feel her baby 'kick'. She also gets worried for Lucy because she has no place to sleep and no swimming suit. Grace has told me that she will buy her a swimming suit for Lucy. Every time I see or talk to Grace on the phone she asks "Has your baby come out yet". Much to her dissapointment I tell her to look at my belly and tell me what she thinks. My sister Emily, her mommy, has told me numerous stories about how Grace will bring Lucy into all their conversations. She is too funny. When we have the baby, I have a feeling we will have a baby hog!

Happy Birthday Melissa

Happy Birthday to Melissa! We went for pizza and the whole family was able to make it. It is so fun that our family likes to be involved with one another. We can't do anything without the whole clan! We are all lucky to live close enough to see each other often. Happy Birthday Miss. Thanks for letting us all celebrate with you. Love you.Melissa and Grace


Liam and Lance

My first shower

How cute is this diaper cake?? Thanks Jamie...you are so creative!

Thanks to the sweet girls in my neighborhood I had my first shower yesterday. I was so excited I didn't sleep the whole night before - or is that because I am pregnant? The food was delicious, and the company was great. Everyone was so generous and I got lots of cute things for Lucy. I still have everything layed out on my floor so I can review all the adorable things! One day they will make it to the closet, but trust me, those closet doors are open quite a bit with me cherishing those little items!

I am challenged...

How does Google Reader work? I would love to be able to know when people are posting rather than clicking on a million blogs! I have been trying to figure it out, but it just wants to take me on tours. Any experts?

7 MONTHS PREGNANT!

Yes, we have hit the 7 month mark - yeah. Some how I feel like this is a big milestone. I have had many people ask me to compare my first trimester with my last trimester. So far, although I am still sick quite a bit, and quite uncomfortable, I must say those first 5 months were really hard. I hope I never have to relive those days...meaning, I still don't think I can do this again. I know that will all change once I hold my baby girl, which I am extremely thankful for!

As you can see in the pictures we have also painted the nursery - yes, it is very pink. I can usually say that I am great at picking out paint colors, but this was a flop. The debate is on if I want to start all over again. This is where Rhett gets off so easy. When we first got our house it was decided after painting our laundry room together (at 2:00 am), that was the end of painting together. We just had very different styles, so now all the painting is up to me. Rhett just gets to hear about all the grief and heartache I feel after spending so much time painting a room (seven months pregnant)I am not in love with. Oh, boy what should I do? I think in the end with all the furniture and bedding, it will look okay, but still it is just not THE COLOR!! More pictures to come as the furniture and bedding (yes, I found different bedding, but on clearance - wahoo!) arrive. Our adorable green dresser and bookcase should be here in about 2 weeks, but we just barely ordered our crib which can take up to 8 weeks. 8 WEEKS? I am due in less than 10 weeks. Hopefully it will come sooner than expected (not the baby). I am not one to leave things to the last minute so this issue has already caused a bit of anxiety. It truly will be a miracle if I don't have this baby early considering my stress level over everything right now...

Happy Valentine's Day again...

On Monday my Valentine's Day present was delivered. Rhett did such a great job finding the table I have wanted for over a year - good thing he works at RCWilley! We were in much need of a bigger table, however, I will miss the green table! Thanks babe. Here are some pics of before/after - isn't it gorgeous?

Great Week...

Rhett and I had a great week up in Park City. It was full of relaxing, Cold Stone, watching movies/tv, sleeping, eating, and of course shopping. It was a much needed break, I only wish we could have stayed longer.

For those of you who don't know my sinful addiction, I shall reveal. Coffee ice cream, especially Ben and Jerry's with Heath Bar, or from Cold Stone with marshmallows. Oh boy, I could eat it everyday! It all started my senior year in high school. I was on vacation in Hawaii and went to Hagaan Dazz. I tried the Mocha Almond Fudge and I was hooked! I will never forget that moment! For all of you who think less of me, try some coffee ice cream, and then we'll talk!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

I hope everyone is having a great Valentine's Day! There is something about this day that just makes you feel like lOVE is in the air! I wanted to share a few things that I lOVE right now...

-comfy pj's

-our new duvet cover

-reminising with old pictures

-feeling my baby move (I am starting to LOVE it more)

-my new haircut

-thinking about Macaroni Grill for dinner tonight

-my hubby in the color green

-my new orange shoes I gave myself for Valentine's Day - only fitting after drinking another orange glucose drink with double the effects of the first one!

-knowing my little girl will be little (I don't have Gestational Diabetes - a huge relief after a long and miserable day at the lab)

-water

-dreaming of incredible vacations - I would make a great travel planner

-smooth dissolve tums

-sleeping with a whole pill of phenegren in me!

Can't wait for summmer...

I was looking through some old pictures today that got me excited for warmer weather, vacations, family reunions, a baby girl, and especially a smaller tummy!

Good News and Bad News...

It was my 27 week appointment today - and the dreaded blood sugar test.

The good news...I was able to drink the glucola with no problems. Trust me, I have been so worried about how it would taste! I also prepared myself for a blood draw, little did I know it was just a finger prick - yay.

The bad news...I have high blood sugar. I will be going back next week for 3 hours of testing and lots of blood drawing. Hopefully the testing will all turn out okay and I won't have to change my diet too much! As for now, no sweets - whaaaat? I swear this little girl better love her mommy!

I got tagged! I love reading these fun things, so I thought I would indulge in the tag!

Two Names You Go By: Holls, Hotty (some kiddies can't pronouce the L's)
Things You Are Wearing Right Now: Maternity pants - yuck! I am still in transition.
Two things you Want (or have) in a Relationship: A Best Friend & Someone who makes me smile
Two of Your Favorite Things to do: Going out to dinner, watch movies with Rhett, go on vacation
Two things you did last night: Went to dinner at Firehouse Grill - it was super yummy, cut Rhett's hair - needless to say the belly got in the way, it was his worst cut yet. If you see him, please tell him it looks good!
Two people you Last Talked To: Rhett and Rob (my brother)
Two Things You're doing tomorrow: Working, and we will probably go to dinner! The perks of pregnancy.
Two Longest Car Rides: The longest one I remember was to Chicago last summer with my family, and I guess the next longest would just be to California. I don't remember the nationwide roadtrips as a child.
Two Favorite Holidays: Christmas and Valentines.
Two Favorite Drinks: Caffeine Free Diet Coke, Pina Coladas
Two Things About Me you may not have known: I have been skydiving, I always sleep with socks - even if it is 100 degrees
Two jobs I have had in my life: Librarian - still comical to me! Secretary
Two Movies I would watch over and over: Mulan Rouge, Crossroads (with Brittany Spears. I know, I know, but seriously it has so many good topics.)
Two of my favorite foods: Cereal, Bean and Cheese Burritos
Two places I'd rather be right now: Hawaii, or anywhere warm!