11.30.2014

By the Numbers: Stuckert Family Christmas


50. The amount of dollars Chuck and I are allowed to spend on each other.

24. The amount of dollars I will go over-budget when shopping for my Hubby.

40. The amount of times I will watch Elf.

Circa 2011.
6. The amount of times I will watch Elf in its entirety without taking an unintentional nap on the couch.

5. The amount of newborn-sized Christmas jammies that I will fold.

75. The amount of times I will wish and pray that Baby Pep is born before December 25 so he can wear his Christmas jammies.

Circa 2012.
4. The amount of wrapping paper tubes I will go through. I love wrapping presents!

2. The number of dozen cookies that I will make.

8. The number of dozen cookies that I will eat.

Circa 2013.

7. The number of days my Mom and sister will stay with us to help me take care of Baby Pep.

18. The number of days until their ETA.

25. The number of days left until Christmasssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!

> > >
What are your holiday numbers?


11.26.2014

36 Weeks


Baby Pep,

"Sweatpants are all that fit me right now."
It's Thanksgiving week and I'm feeling thankful! Thankful that I've had a pretty easy road growing you in my belly. Thankful that we're going to be meeting you soon. Thankful for your Daddy who is catering to my every beck and call at this point, because Mama is starting to get a tad uncomfortable. And by tad, I of course mean- PLEASE COME OUT SOON!

As of Saturday, I'll be full-term and although I'm sure my supervisor would appreciate if you waited until after my temp starts, I'm ready to meet you as soon as possible! I read that your mother's labor might help predict how your labor will go. Your Grandma told me that I showed up 7 days late, while your Aunt Kelly was 10 days early. Fingers crossed you take after your auntie!

Your Daddy and I are going crazy playing the waiting game, so anything we can do to feel like we're taking action toward your arrival seems to placate this nagging feeling just a bit. Whether it's organizing your nursery, bouncing on my yoga ball while listening to my labor playlist, or perineal massage (trust me, don't Google that), we'll do whatever it takes!

Looking forward to some downtime this weekend to relax, decorate for the holidays and finalize your nursery- hurry up, baby. We're ready for you!

Love,
Mommy


11.21.2014

Five on Friday [Currently, I'm Loving...]


After the week I've had, Friday couldn't come soon enough! It hasn't been bad, just BUSY. I'm really looking forward to work calming down in the next few weeks before I take my maternity leave. Yesterday, I hosted my biggest work event of the year and after setting up, tearing down and being on my feet all day long presenting- dang, I was wiped! So in honor of *TGIF* and my brain being complete mush, here are five things I'm loving on this glorious (albeit chilly) Friday...

THE GOOD LIFE BLOG




1. YES PLEASE
p/c
I knew I would like this book, because Amy Poehler is like the human equaivalent of a warm, gooey Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae (take that as you will), but I'm loving this book even more than I thought I would. Not only is she hilarious and down-to-earth, but she can honestly write. If you haven't already, put this on your reading list immediately! 

2. MATERNITY LEGGINGS
All day, e'ry day. Anything else is so uncomfortable, so I'm rocking these bad boys 6/7 days a week. The 7th day? I'm probably sporting my over-sized sweatpants.

3. GIRL TIME
My sister-in-law are spending the night in Columbus tonight to attend the Zoo's annual Wildlights event. It's the second year in a row for us, so I'm thinking it's time to make it an official holiday tradition. Am I looking forward to walking around a crowded zoo in 20 degree weather? Eh. Am I looking forward to vegging out, watching Christmas movies and enjoying some girl time in a nice hotel? You bet!

4. IT'S ALMOST BABY TIME!
Yesterday marked exactly 1 month until Baby Pep's due date. My current state? Freaked out that I'm very soon going to have a little human to care for. Ready to be done with pregnancy. Curious as to what our little guy is going to look like (and what he's going to be named!)

5. #MEANTWEETS
If you haven't seen Celebrities Reading Mean Tweets on Jimmy Kimmel Live, you've probably been living under a rock. The 8th edition came out and I can still say, these never stop being entertaining:

11.18.2014

35 Weeks


Baby Pep,

As of next weekend, your Mama will officially be full-term. Feel free to come at any point after this.

To say I've been uncomfortable as of late would be an understatement. The plethora of pregnancy symptoms I've been experiencing has been confounded by the busiest work week of the year (not to mention your kicks are feeling less like sweet little butterflies and more like an actual human being repeatedly kicking my ribs and punching my bladder). There’s nothing like the sweet promise of the end of pregnancy to make you look forward to labor! Daddy and I are trying to get things in order for your arrival, but we still have lots to do. Furniture to paint, baby essentials to buy, car seats to install- it’s a lot. We’re also trying to mentally/physically prepare for your delivery as best we can- I will leave it at that, because I’d like to give you some time earthside before I start mortifying you with my all-too-honest confessions.

Maternity leave is just around the corner and I can’t wait. With the snow falling and the cold chilling me to the bone, the idea of spending my days snuggling with you sounds like absolute perfection. We still haven’t settled on a name (I’m adamant that I need to see your face and actually meet you before I can finalize the decision), but we’re pretty darn close.

All in all, your Daddy has been a saint. Making sure Mommy is always well fed and hydrated, helping to carry groceries into the house and just generally being the best, most supportive Daddy in the whole world. Man, you are going to be so freaking blessed by having him as your Pops, little one.

Can’t wait to meet you!

Love,
Mommy


11.14.2014

34 Weeks


Baby Pep,

You're killin' me, smalls! I officially feel very tired, very pregnant and very ready for the next few weeks to pass by so you can make your way into the world. I had a to-do list this weekend of a million things I wanted to do to start preparing for your arrival. I did about 2 1/2. Granted, those 2 1/2 things took me like 8 combined hours. But still. I am tired. All. the. time. Simply walking around the house leaves me winded. Your kicks haven't been feeling great, I've been having a sharp pain in my left hip (that I'm thinking is round ligament pain) and have I mentioned I'm tired?

Clearly, I'm in the midst of throwing myself a pity party. Thankfully, your Daddy has been very forgiving since I made it through nearly 8 whole months without complaint. Right now I'm trying to find the balance between placating my inner Mama bear, nesting instincts and getting the rest I need. I've also been finding it difficult this past week to get all the calories I know I should be getting. I'm running out of room inside and I get full so fast! I bought a bunch of healthy snack foods at the grocery store on Saturday and figure if I just snack throughout the day, hopefully I can help make you big and strong!

Anywho, I'm clearly being a whiner. But I am starting to feel truly ready for you to get here. You've still got a few more weeks to cook, baby- just don't keep us waiting too long!

Love, 
Mommy


11.13.2014

Pregnancy Truths: Round 2


Check out Round 1 of my Pregnancy Truths.


It's safe to say I was blessed with 8 months of, perhaps the world's easiest pregnancy. Last weekend, however, I hit the 34-week mark and let me tell you- things are starting to get a tad uncomfortable. Here are some 3rd trimester pregnancy truths to make those of you in the same boat feel not-so-alone, and those of you who have yet to experience this take your birth control more seriously. Haha!

Pregnancy Truth #1:  
You might not love your baby.
Obviously, this is not an easy one for me to admit and I've received dozens of consoling, supportive comments from friends, family and co-workers that one day, in the not too distant future, it will all come naturally to me. I don't doubt their kind words, but if I'm being honest, pregnancy is a strange thing. It's unfamiliar and uncomfortable. And for someone like me who doesn't love kids, I genuinely have not yet developed feelings of love toward the little guy in my belly. I don't know if this makes me an anomoly, but I figure there have to be some other women who feel this way who are maybe too afraid of being deemed an unfit mom to come forward. So I'm saying it, while I pray for his health and wellbeing and anticipate all the wonderful memories we'll make with him, I don't yet love my baby.

Pregnancy Truth #2:
Your rear end will do unspeakable things.
I realize Truth #1 was a heavy way to start out, so on a lighter note, yeah- there's a lot going on down there. The other day Chuck and I had a conversation that went something like this,
Chuck: "I was thinking of coming in to cuddle and wake you up this morning. How would you have responded?"
Kaity: "Probably would have been annoyed that you woke me up. And then farted. Because apparently that's what I do now."
Chuck: "Aww...that's not tr-...well, yeah, it is."
Cue laughter.
Seriously though, constipation, hemorrhoids, gas- all par for the course,

Pregnancy Truth #3:
Grooming will take a backseat.
I sent my sister a text last week. It read: "Nobody warns you that it's impossible to shave your lady bits when you can't actually see your lady bits." My shower has seen me in some very compromising positions as of late.

Pregnancy Truth #4:
You might not be in the mood
As if it weren't enough that I am ungroomed, fat, and well, experiencing everything in Truth #2, any remaining hope of intimacy is pretty much dashed because there is literally nothing that sounds less appealing than adult time.
Did anyone else watch the season premiere of Snooki & JWoww (guilty pleasure alert)? I started cracking up when Jenni started talking about her "puffy butthole."


I feel ya, girl.

11.10.2014

Baby Pep's Shower!


Let me preface this by saying that in terms of in-laws, I hit the jackpot. And last weekend was the perfect example of just how much I love this crazy band of charcters I married into. My sister-in-law was sweet enough to host a shower for Chuck, Baby Pep and me at her home, with the help of Chuck's aunt. 

This woman can organize and throw a shindig better than anyone I know. She's kind of the social director of the family. But I digress.

In sum, our Fall-themed shower was so beautiful, so down-to-earth and filled with so much love I could burst. We had a co-ed get together with about 15-20 of our closest friends and family and I felt so ridiculously blessed.

So without further ado, Baby Pep's shower...







Baby Pep's Grandma (my Mom) bought out the Harley dealership's baby section.





Best quote of the day was from my Hubby, "Aww...it's a tiny hat." Needless to say, I was glad he took the laughs for that one because I totally didn't realize these were "Peepee Teepees" either!


 

I love that Pep's nickname has caught on in real life. Although I'm starting to grow concerned that I'm never going to settle on a name for the little guy because the only thing I can picture calling him is Pep!


11.07.2014

33 Weeks


Baby Pep,

You have been so showered with love the last couple days! Your Grandma and Aunties Bekah and Laura came all the way from the East Coast to celebrate your impending arrival at your baby shower this past weekend! Your Aunt Annen did such a beautiful job organizing the day and your Mama felt so blessed to be able to share in it with the friends and family who already love you so much. Speaking candidly, I was also very excited that the shower was co-ed so your Daddy could be there too. Suffice it to say I didn't do well at being the center of attention at my bridal shower so the fact that your Daddy partook in the festivities made me feel so much more comfortable. (Baby shower post to come!)

I've done a terrible job at blogging, cleaning, cooking...basically functioning as a human being this week. Work has been crazy busy since I've been trying to catch up from being out of town and all my energy has gone into just making it through each day. It always comes as a shock to me when my energy levels don't match what my pre-pregnant self could muster. I think it's time for your Mama to acknowledge her limitations and just take it easy for the next 6ish weeks. Lord knows, I won't be catching much shut-eye once you're here!

Daddy and I have lots to do to prepare for your arrival. We still have a few purchases to make like a stroller, car seat, etc that I'm hoping to score a deal on around Black Friday. We've also got to install your car seat, finish assembling your crib and dresser, and just generally organize your nursery. I also want to try and make sure to prepare for my body postpartum- freezer meals, pads (TMI), and the like.

You're going to be here so soon, Pep! I still can't believe it!

Love,
Mommy

A little teaser from our Fall-themed shower: November 1, 2014.

11.05.2014

Chicago and my Halloweekend


I have not written a post in soo long and that makes me sad. Last week was a whirlwind and I kicked off this week with a nasty cold, so I'm a bit behind to say the least. However, I want to be sure to record my fun-filled last week of October!

On Sunday, Baby Pep hopped aboard a Chicago-bound airplane that would lead us to my first work conference since starting last year. It was a terrific conference and it's so exciting to be in a room filled with people who are passionate about the same things you are. I know most people aren't interested in learning about program evaluation, food stamps, and behavioral economics- but I live for this stuff!

I wasn't able to spend a whole lot of time doing the touristy stuff since I was there for business, but I managed to squeeze in as much as a I could. This included a Haunted History tour, where I got to view some of the Windy City's most haunted locales, as well as the site of the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre! My co-workers and I also enjoyed the most delectable dinner at Girl and the Goat- the restaurant of Top Chef Season 4 winner, Stephanie Izard. Chuck and I are obsessed with Top Chef, so I was fangirling just a tad and snapping pictures of our every culinary conquest.

On Wednesday, I packed up my carry-on bags and walked to Millenium Park en route to the train station so I could snap the obligatory selfie in front of the bean! I wanted to make sure I saw Cloud Gate before I left, so I made a point to get there before I departed. Overall, I loved Chicago. It reminded me a lot of NYC, but cleaner. I wish Chuck had been able to be there with me, but I'm hoping to plan a trip there together! Maybe next anniversary?






The very next day, my two college besties flew in to be here for my baby shower weekend! We spent Thursday evening reminiscing and Friday preparing for Halloween night. My friend Laura insisted we watch Frozen, since Bekah and I had not yet seen it so I felt like I checked something off my pop culture to-do list. I always have such grand aspirations for Halloween and then put my costume prep off to the last minute. I procrastinated particularly badly this year, and thankfully the girls and I decided on Thursday night that I should go as a Treasure Troll. I had to work a few hours on Friday morning from home so while I wrapped up some loose ends, the girls trekked out to WalMart to buy my costume fixins. They came back with a host of awesomeness and my last-minute costume turned out wonderfully!

My Mom also arrived later Friday evening and joined in for the festivities. Chuck was preoccupied with his guy friends, so the four of us went to my favorite local pub for their annual Halloween shindig. I may not have been able to drink, but I sure didn't let this belly stop me from dancing the night away!

We thankfully, didn't stay out too late as my baby shower was the next day, but we had so much fun spending our first Halloween together since college. Ahh memories...





11.04.2014

Their Name is Today | Review


p/c
As Baby Pep's due date draws closer and closer, I constantly find myself thinking about the type of Mom I want to be. What values do I want to impart on my baby boy? What do I want to shield and protect him from? These were the questions that were plaguing my mind when I was offered the opportunity to review a new book, Their Name is Today: Reclaiming Childhood in a Hostile World by Johann Christoph Arnold. 

Goodreads describes this book as, 

"There's hope for childhood. Despite a perfect storm of hostile forces that are robbing children of a healthy childhood, courageous parents and teachers who know what s best for children are turning the tide. Johann Christoph Arnold, whose books on education, parenting, and relationships have helped more than a million readers through life s challenges, draws on the stories and voices of parents and educators on the ground, and a wealth of personal experience. He surveys the drastic changes in the lives of children, but also the groundswell of grassroots advocacy and action that he believes will lead to the triumph of common sense and time-tested wisdom. Arnold takes on technology, standardized testing, overstimulation, academic pressure, marketing to children, over-diagnosis and much more, calling on everyone who loves children to combat these threats to childhood and find creative ways to help children flourish. Every parent, teacher, and childcare provider has the power to make a difference, by giving children time to play, access to nature, and personal attention, and most of all, by defending their right to remain children."
The author is a huge advocate for children and his love and passion for our future generations is palpable throughout the entire book. I found myself nodding along as Arnold wrote about the importance of play in a child's life, as well as a societal need to decrease the amount of screentime children are exposed to. He also discusses the importance of raising children who are manipulated by marketing schemes to become materialistic and brand loyal from a very early age. All things that have been heavy on my mind, as of late.

Overall, the author's message is one that we can all get onboard with. Quite simply, children need love. Although, I found myself disappointed by the amount of references in this book (I felt as though half the book's content was the author quoting the wisdom of others), it was obvious that this man has a heart for children and as parents (and future parents) we could all do well to read how to raise up strong, compassionate and loving people in a conflicted and scary world. 

I gave this book...THREE STARS!

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