37 Weeks

Baby Pep,

37 Weeks. We made it. You and Mama are now considered full term and we could literally be meeting you any day now. Although, your Mama's comfort level is at an all-time low, I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch (or my babies before they're born) because I know as a first-time Mommy, I've probably got another 3-4 weeks until we meet.

Thanksgiving was this past weekend so your Mama had a 4-day weekend and it was glorious. Dinner with family, Black Friday shopping for your last-minute baby things from the comfort of my bed and eating more takeout and fast food than can possibly be healthy. All-in-all, it's been a great few days.

Your Daddy is loving my current opinion on all things food. Basically, your Mama is uncomfortable, in need of instant gratification and has zero motivation to cook. Or, more eloquently said, "I'm 9 months pregnant and I don't give a f*#k (I'm assuming by the time you actually read this, I won't be a completely horrible mother for exposing you to that word)!

I've got three more weeks of work until maternity leave kicks in, and then- BABY TIME! Can't wait for you to get here, Baby Pep. We'll see you soon!

Love,

Mommy

Winter Book Challenge: November Check-In

This last month I've been in participating in Megan's Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge and so far, I think I've steadily been making ground. I wasn't able to finish the summer challenge, so I'm hoping this winter will afford me plenty of downtime to make up for my summer failure. 

Check out my Preliminary List.

Here's where I'm at after one month of reading:

5 points: Freebie! Read any book that fits the general rules.

10 points: Read a book written by an author who has published at least 10 books. | Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott (Currently reading)

10 points: Read a book of short stories.

10 points: Read a book with a food in the title. | Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan (November 8, 2014)

15 points: Read the first book in a series that is new to you. | Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (Currently reading)

15 points: Read a book that was originally written in a language that is not your native language.

15 points: Read a book written by a local author (either an author from your state if you live in the United States, or from your country if you live somewhere else).

20 points: Read a "bookish book" (in which books play an important role, e.g. the setting involves a bookstore or library, a major character is an author, or a book that celebrates reading and books. (Examples: The Book Thief, The Shadow of the Wind, The Thirteenth Tale, etc.)

20 points: Read a book with a direction in the title (e.g. north, south, east, west or any combination of those).

25 points: Read a book from a genre you don't usually read. | The Woodcutter by Kate Danley [Fantasy] (November 19, 2014)

25 points: Read a book with a song lyric in the title. Be sure to tell us the song name and artist as well! (Examples: Pop Goes the Weasel by James Patterson (English nursery rhyme of the same name), The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes ("Girl You Left Behind," Pixie Lott), or Somewhere Only We Know by Cheyanne Young ("Somewhere Only We Know," Keane). | Yes Please by Amy Poehler [Muse] (November 22, 2014)

30 points: Read two books with a different meal in each title (e.g. breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, brunch).

PREVIOUS POINTS: 0
TOTAL POINTS: 60

p/c

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?

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

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...

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: