So Zilly for the Beach

Zulily is the place to shop for daily deals on all things mom, baby and kid. Everyday essentials you'll need, they'll have it. At majorly discounted prices.

So if you haven't signed up yet, do so now. It's free to join and they'll send you daily emails on all their killer deals!

I went "zilly" over these great beach themed items:

 {onesie, activity book, book, canvas}

Meet Sedae

Our daughter, Sedae (pronounced Se-day), was born May 20, 2010 at 5:55pm, weighing 8 lbs. 4 oz. and 21 inches long. She was 10 days past her due date and let me tell you, it was the longest 2 weeks of our lives!
The morning of the 20th, we finally called in to our midwives and said "you need to get this baby out today!" They agreed, but still wanted to proceed with the least invasive measures first. So, I had to drink castor oil, again. It took a couple hours for it to take effect and were seeing the same results as last time, mild contractions that were starting to stall out. So we put Tayden down for his nap, called Rich's sister Bekah over to stay with him, and we, along with my sister Lori, headed to Motherwise to get this baby out. Little did we know what we were in for next!
We decided that the next step would be to break my water, and give her the little nudge I knew she needed. My biggest concern this time around was staying hydrated & not getting too drained so I was downing the vitamin water & eating an apple as they broke my water. We were all so calm and laughing, having a great time. My main midwife, Christyn, left to go home really quick since everything was progressing normal. Next thing I know, the contractions get fierce and fast. About 30 minutes after they broke my water I was in the hallway and knew she was coming...and no one believed me! Sure enough, she was crowning! They quick called Christyn to get back and she came flying in, sunglasses still on top of her head, and caught Sedae. I think it was about 3 pushes and she was out. 55 minute labor. I'd have these all day long. Just kidding.
We instantly bonded and it was the most amazing feeling. I missed that with Tayden because he was on oxygen immediately after. I had slight tearing this time around too, with her coming so fast. Tayden came about an hour after she was born to meet his, at that point, still nameless "baby sister" (we didn't have a name chosen for about a week after she was born!).
We ordered burgers, fries and shakes again, same as after Tayden came (because nothing sounds better), and just enjoyed our new family of four. As family came to visit, and left, we also headed home about four hours after she was born.
It was an amazing second time around and wouldn't change a thing about it, or her.

Excited to Meet Her!

Mel Ridlon photosI'm a puffy little oompa-loompa and we're anxious to get started with labor and finally be holding our daughter in our arms! We're doing a bunch of things to get labor going as we got the final green light from our midwives today. I'm a full 3cm and 60% effaced. She's already super low which is encouraging (my midwife touched her head today!) but I've got to work on getting her to the left side and her back up so delivery will be easier for both of us. Hopefully in this next week we'll be holding her in our arms. We're doing all we can, now the timings up to God.

36 weeks and counting...

Ooook. We're in the home stretch people. She still has no name but everything else is ready to go! We're at the point now of getting anxious to meet her and wondering what she's going to look like. She's growing great, right on target, moving like c-razy, and call me c-razy, but I'm getting excited for the birth! April's going to be a busy month and she'll be here before we know it!

Baby Shower for the Nameless Girl

Beginning of March my sisters graciously and beautifully threw a baby shower for us. It was so much fun, baby girl got tons of cute stuff and we all pigged out on "pregnancy cravings" food like french fries & Skittles. With 20 of my closest girlfriends, and the food, it was a completely indulgent afternoon. Here's some photos from the party taken by non other than Melissa.
Huge thanks again to all that came to help celebrate and Lori, Bekah & Mel for doing all the work. It was the best!

How to Cook a Rutabaga

We're 25 weeks along cooking this little Waller girl now. She's over a foot long and weighs about that of a rutabaga. Which is fitting because my dad used to call me his little rutabaga.

And the belly is really starting to show.


All well and good. Cute. Sweet.

Right?

Wrong.

Let's take a minute and talk about the darker side of pregnancy. Shall we?

What about that sweet belly.

And oh, how she's kicking inside it! Lots. In places that really are not comfortable. And she doesn't do these during normal business hours. No. They start around 10:30pm and go through the night until around 4am when she finally gets tired torturing your unmentionable parts.

And if the kicking doesn't keep you awake through the night, the all of a sudden oh-my-gosh-I-think-I'm-loosing-my-leg charlie horses will! That last for a good 5 minutes! And don't try screaming in agony because you'll get no attention from the snoring log next to you.

And what about never getting comfortable no matter which way you lay? (Which for me, is only on my left side because otherwise I get heartburn that makes your throat feel like it's caught fire which is from the munchies that hit every night around 10pm that make you feel like it must really be 4:20.) So they make us the "Preggo Pillow" because "Nine months is too long to be uncomfortable". Really?! Thanks! Like a PILLOW is going to make it all go away!

And so you get up, look in the mirror and see a new visitor. In fact more than one visitor because now your face looks as if you're in junior high again. And the bleeding gums after brushing your teeth?! What about that?

And then you hobble into your closet, hobbling because your back is in a constant state of pain trying to hold up that "sweet" belly of yours, only to find 99% of your wardrobe no longer fits. Great.

And you think to yourself "Can I get away with wearing sweats again today?"

Then it hits you. You're only 25 weeks in. That's just barely past half way.

So what do you do?

Throw on those sweats. Go have a big bowl of chocolate brownie & ice cream for breakfast.

Because that'll make it all better.

Here We Go Again!

Yep. We're pregnant! I didn't believe I actually was pregnant again so I took not one, not two, but three tests and THEN went and had my blood drawn for good measure. Yep. Pregnant.

Don't get me wrong, we are elated with the news. It's just rather comical that this baby will be due right along with Tayden's birthday, my dads, Rich's, my nephews, our anniversary and mothers day! You'd think we'd get a little original with our timing. Truth is, like I said before, we were really surprised. We weren't really "trying".

We're about 12 weeks along and we just heard the glorious sound of the heartbeat this week. Tayden will have just turned two when this one comes. Yeah. We're in for it for sure.

Fitting that my first post in eons is the same as the conception of this blog two years ago! So we hope you'll follow along again on this journey with us!!

Oh and, everyone, and I mean everyone is already calling girl.

Vote or Die

Here's the poll as it stands. If you want to get in on the action, send us your predictions!

Name, Weight & Date

Debbie: 7lb 11oz, April 27

Elena: 8lb, April 30

Hiro: 8lb, May 2

John & Kim: 8lb 12oz, May 1

Kathy: 8lb 14oz, May 1

Keith: 12lb, May 12

Opa: 8lb 7oz, April 27

Sessa: April 28

Big Boy

Had another ultrasound today, everything is looking great. It was cool to see him so big. We saw him sticking his tongue out and sucking, too cute!! Can't wait until we get to actually see him! So their measurements were that he's about 7lb 11oz already, yeah...gonna be fun!
(PS-the scary ghost face on the side of the picture is my umbilical cord, not an un-welcomed guest, ha ha!)

Are We There Yet?

37 weeks and counting!
We've been diligent in spending a little time each day preparing for "the big day" and are starting to trip out about how close it is, what he's going to look like, how much our lives are going to change...and how much we're going to love him! I don't think we can really grasp all of that quite yet, so we're trying to enjoy 37 weeks and take it for what it's worth.
Oh, and we love to sleep in and have "quiet nights".

More Lovin'

Last weekend my fabulous friend Sarah threw a shower for Baby Waller at her home. She went all out and we had a blast. Thanks Sarah!!!! Thank you also to the family and friends who made such an effort to be there and spoil us so!

When it rains...

It's been a crazy March! We were in California for 2 weeks for a baby shower thrown by my parents and for a wedding Rich officiated.

The shower was amazing. My mom did a fantastic job coordinating everything: decorations, food and friends.

We felt so blessed to have such a varied room full of women there to support and love on us. We truly appreciate everyone that came.

We had people travel from southern, northern and western California just to be there.

The wedding was simply gorgeous.

Jeff and Kim called Rich back in October and asked him if he'd be willing to marry them. Rich was honored and excited. The ceremony went off without a hitch! It was both truthful and personal. I loved seeing him up there in this role and hearing his wisdom spoken to 200 people.

10 Weeks Left...Really??

We had our 30 week check up today and everything is looking great! Baby boy is already head down and measuring a normal size. We're starting to get serious now as it's becoming much more real. We have been taking a birthing class that has been invaluable in helping us plan and know what the heck we're doing. It's all so foreign!

We're planning on a natural birth with midwives at Motherwise Birthing Center. Our experience so far has been fantastic. We feel very comfortable and "armed" with some good techniques to have a successful birth.

Butternut Squash

Week 29 and he's the size of a butternut squash. Doesn't explain the constant heartburn though...maybe if it was a spicy bean burrito, that would make more sense. Mmmm...now I'm hungry.

Hi everyone!!

We had an ultrasound on Tuesday to make sure Baby Waller was doing good since the surgeries in December. Happy to report everything was perfect! We're 28 weeks now...only 12 to go! Wow, it seems it's happening so fast!