Not the Craziest California Mama

It's true...I met someone MUCH crazier! Yesterday Sarah and I went to her doctor's appointment and on the way home she fell asleep. I decided to attempt to go to the mall to make a few returns since she was sleeping. There we were waiting in the neverending line at Macys when a mommy behind me struck up a conversation that went something like this.

Macy's mom: How old is your baby?

Me: She'll be one month on Sunday. (with my proud mama smile)

Macy's mom: You just had a baby a month ago. You look great. (Not really but hey, I'll take it) After my baby was born I was more swollen than when I was pregnant. And now my a** just keeps getting bigger because I never have time to cook. I am so exhausted. It's not from lack of sleep that I am exhausted it's from worrying so much. So, she's only one month old and you take her out? You go to the mall? But she hasn't had her shots yet!!!!!! (She was aghast)

Me: Those immunizatioin shots are for measles and big catastrophic things. Probably not going to pick those up at the mall. I have to get out of the house...stircrazy!

So we continued to chat for a bit and I said something that made her realize that I had driven Sarah and I.

Macy's mom: You drove yourself here? Just you and the baby? But what if something happened? What if she coughed or something worse happened. You aren't sitting in the back of the car with her? Is that okay to do? Is that legal?!

I was laughing hysterically and told her now I knew why she was so tired...she really is worrying about everything. I should have told her I had a C-section too. I am sure that would have really sent her over the edge.

So, as you can see, eventhough I stress about whether Sarah hates her cloth diapers because she screams like a madwoman when we change her, weigh her on all the scales in the house, want to pump all my milk and give it to her in a bottle just so I KNOW she's getting enough milk (not doing by the way), thought I would be able to keep mommying simple and now own every kid contraption there is, constantly stare at her head in her carseat because I think it moves around too much, and the list goes on and on. But eventhough I do all these things and more, there is still atleast one mom crazier than me!

Now doesn't that make you relieved mom?

The Biggest Gainer

She's still sleeping so I figure I might as well keep at it and attempt to get another post done while I can.

This post will just let you all see how crazy Rich and I are; especially when sleep deprived, stircrazy from all the rain that has kept us in the house for days(usually I love the rain, but when you have a little baby and just want to go for a walk, it really puts a damper on things), and when you are as anal and paranoid about doing everything right, as I will admit I am.

Last night Richard and I attempted to weigh Sarah on every scale we have in the house...and yes, that includes the kitchen meat scale.

According to the scaleS she weighs between 8 1/4 pounds and 8 1/2 pounds, fully clothed. At her last appointment she weighed 7-7, in the buff...so I would say she's making progress. Thankfully, all these hours feeding appear to be paying off and we no longer have the biggest loser living in our house.

Just Because

I emailed Ron yesterday and commented on how Sarah was still the cutest. His response was, "Sarah will be the cutest until..." Even after until...I still think she will always be the cutest! Here are some pictures to prove my point.

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Ever since we got married I still refer to Boise as home and Richard corrects me each time and says that I am home right here in sunny California. I always agreed and let him believe I felt at home here, but I never really did...something was missing. However, since Sarah's arrival I have a new outlook on home and now, Boise will always be my home away from home. I am home with my husband and new little daughter and feel that I am in just the right place wherever they are. I have gained a new appreciation for enjoying the place you are in and being happy with where you are at the moment. I am not certain why Sarah's birth brought this out of me and just being married didn't, but I am determined to make Sarah's life pleasurable and complete wherever we are. I want her to feel at home with us.

So, although Boise and all my loved ones there will always hold a special place in my heart, I will be home for Christmas this year and am looking forward to it. You will all of course be missed GREATLY, but I think that this Christmas will be a memorable one with my little family, our beautiful tree, and the love I feel at home!

We put up our tree last week when Richard took the week off to spend it with Sarah and I (best week ever!). It was so much fun for me to get out my box of ornaments I have been receiving since I was a baby and to put them on our tree. It brought back so many fond memories of decorating our tree on Musket.

Remember sisters when we would want to put out EVERY ornament we had and mom would make us pick our favorites so that the tree wouldn't be too full? Remember putting all the ornaments on the front of the tree and then being so disappointed when you would find yours on the back of the tree? Well, this year I was able to put up every ornament I wanted and I put very few in the back so that they would all be seen! So fun.

Thank you for starting this tradition with us girls mom and dad, Grandparents, and Aunts and Uncles. It is one I will continue with my family. I told Richard the only gift I had to get Sarah was an ornament so that one day when she feels at home with her very own family for their first real Christmas, she too will be able to pull out her box of ornaments and feel like she has the most beautiful tree, full of the best memories ever!

Happy Holidays!

P.S. Don't read too much into this. Just because I am happy now doesn't mean I want to stay here forever. I would still like nothing more than to make my home closer to all of yours. Maybe one day I will have the best of both worlds.

Sarah Square Pants

Just one of many nicknames...very applicable when staring at her in her cloth diapers. When we were in the hospital we used the disposables for ease of use. When we arrived home from the hospital Richard and I put on the first pair of Kissaluv fitted diapers along with her diaper cover. We laughed hysterically. It hurt my incision SO BADLY but we couldn't help ourselves. On Sarah's little birdlegs the diapers looked enormous. Since she's filling out a bit they don't look quite so large anymore, but she still doesn't and as long as we use cloth she won't have a tiny little bum. (I should say you can't see her tiny little bum) It looks sortof fluffy, but still oh so cute!

The cloth diapering is going pretty well. Have had a few leaky ones, but are starting to figure it out. Once she stops screaming AT THE TOP OF HER LUNGS everytime I change her, I will be happier with the diaper situation. She's a modest little thing and doesn't like having her clothes off. You go to unbutton her onesie and the fight is on! :)

Happy Halloween

Halloween costumes almost 8 months pregnant...who wants to do that?

Well, not I until I saw Sirri's costume and decided that even a pregnant girl could pull that off.

Sirri loved the idea of Snap and me being the same as her, and so here it is; in honor of Grandpa Bigelow...Strawberry Ice Cream with Sprinkles X's 2 or should I say 3!?! :)

Count Your Many Blessings

Yes, Snap, you do have a daddy and you should be down right thankful for the WONDERFUL one you have!!

Working where I do I often get many questions and comments as to how I can handle seeing these children come to the shelter in order to escape the abuse that is happening to their mothers and sometimes themselves at home. Most of the time I am able to leave work, and I do a pretty good job of leaving work there. These children are really happy while they are in the shelter; they are fed, clothed, sheltered, and loved beyond measure. I see them at their best. Yes, they miss home, friends, and their fathers, but realize that they are in a good place and that we can help them have better lives!

My job usually teaches me to go easier on those I love and makes me realize just how lucky I am to have what I have and grateful for the choices that I have made! Working at the shelter really makes it easy (most the time) to forgive when my hubby doesn't take out the trash, make the bed, leaves his shorts in a wad on the floor, or forgets to start the dishwasher in the morning. It is easier to forget these things because I realize that my life could be much worse and that many women endure much hardship by the hands of those who supposedly love them!

With all of this in mind, here is a conversation I had today with 2 students, both girls.

6 year old: Mrs. A., are you going to have a baby? (Up until this point she had never asked about my big belly)
Me: Yes, I am!
6 year old: I think it is a girl...or, maybe it could be a boy. If it's a girl I bet it will look just like you. I look like my mom.
Me: Well, we don't know which it will be but we will find out soon enough.

6 year old: Yeah, but Mrs. A., it's sad that your baby won't have a daddy!

Me: But my baby does have a daddy.
6 year old: It does? Where is he?
Me: He's at home and at work. I don't live here, I go home after work.
7 year old: Yeah, she doesn't sleep here, she goes home after school and then comes back.
6 year old: Oh, okay! (With a very relieved, happy face...isn't it amazing how perceptive and in-tune little ones are. She knows what she's missing right now and didn't want anyone else's baby to go through the same thing.)

So, yes, Snap, you do have a daddy unlike many little kids who don't or whose daddies make poor decisions for their family. You have a daddy who loves you more than you will ever know. He is already a wonderful daddy who would do anything for you or me. When you count your blessings, be sure to include him in your list...right at the very top!

Practice Makes Perfect

Cindy and I were watching the kiddos, Lisa was driving Grandma to the airport, Sirri and Connor did not want to get dressed, Meg was not feeling so well and was having a rough morning, I had to get ready to meet our family at the park--so I practiced! I think I have skill!!

All About Me

I always receive those surveys that ask you all kinds of random questions that you are to answer and then forward on to all your friends and family. I never do them, but thought I would combine a few of them I have received lately so you can all learn more about me...
(Thanks Linz & Steph)

1) Were you named after anyone? Well, my middle name is the same as my Aunt Pattys...Ann. Luckily, my Grandma Weldon didn't win in the naming department or I would have been named after Betsy Ross since I was born on july 4, 1976. How cute would that have been; Betsy Bigelow!? :(

2) When was the last time you cried? At Grandpa Bigelow's funeral on October 13, 2007

3) Your rock star name: (first pet & current car) Buffy Corolla

4) Do you like your handwriting? Sometimes I get this combination cursive/print that I think looks pretty nifty!

5) What is your favorite lunch meat? Boring turkey, however not smoked. Tuna fish comes in as a close second.

6) Your Gangsta name: (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Mint Chocolate Chip Circus Animal

7) Do you have kids? One is WELL on the way...Baby Snap

8) Do you still have your tonsils? Yep

9) Would you bungee jump? Oh NO!!

10) Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Most of mine are slipons, but my tennies, nope, I untie them before I put them on.

11) Your Detective Name: (favorite color, favorite animal) Purple stuffed

12) Do you think you are strong? Physically--ask me in a little over a month. Mentally--strong with a few soft spots!

13) What is your favorite ice cream? See #6

14) What is the least favorite thing about yourself? My inability to make decisions

15) Your Star Wars Name: (the first three letters of your last name & first 2 letters of your first name) Atcki

16) Who do you miss the most? Sirri, Connor, Baby Meg

17) What color pants and shoes are you wearing? Blue jeans and my black and red CROC flip flops (rarely do they come off my feet these days. the floor alone is just too hard)

18) What was the last thing you ate? A Healthy Choice Fudge Bar

19) If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Turquoise

20) Favorite smells? My husband's deodorant, lavendar, pine trees, a roast being cooked in the crock pot (weird), rain

21) Your superhero name: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink, put 'The" infront of it)
The Yellow Sparkling Water with lime

22) Hair color? BLondish/brown--more brown

23) Eye color? Hazel

24) Do you wear contacts? NO!!! Everytime I go to the eye doctor, I try them, but they never work. Apparently I am allergic to all of the solutions.

25) Favorite foods? Peaches and aspauragus

26) Summer or winter? Fall--the season that I don't think we get here in Cali :(

27) Favorite Dessert? Candy...something sweet & sour

28) What book are you reading right now? Your Pregnancy Week by Week, The Measure of a Man, & Some teen book at school. I can't remember the title, but am loving the story.

29) Where were you born? Salt Lake City

30) Nascar Name: (the first names of your grandfathers) Byron William or By Bill (if I use the names they use) which would my Nascar agent choose?!

What's in a Name?

When I was home a few weeks back, I was able to spend some time with my neice Sirri, who already adores her cousin Snap. Lisa and Sirri have had conversations about how they probably won't have any more babies after Meg. Sirri insists that yes, we do...Aunt Kimmy has Baby Snap, so we have a baby. I love that she knows Snap is hers as well...that's what family is about.

Sirri continually kissed and hugged my belly while I was with her and would always tell Snap that she loves him/her. Even now when I talk with her on the phone, she tells me, "I love you Aunt Kimmy and I love Snap!"

While home I explained that Snap was just the nickname we are using since we don't know if it's a boy or a girl. I asked Sirri what we should name the baby when it arrives.

Here it is...if it's a boy--Light Snap and if it's a girl--Butter Snap!!

If you have any other great ideas, let us know, we're sortof struggling in the name department. It might be Baby Snap for a few days, who knows!

Look How Big I've Gotten...

Time for my closeup...look I have 2 eyes, a nose, and chubby cheeks.

Today we went to the doctor for our week 33 appointment. We ended up in a room with an ultrasound machine...the WONDERFUL physicians assistant (who I like better than any of the doctors) decided to please us with pictures.

At 33 weeks along, I measure 33 centimeters--right on track. My blood pressure is perfect and let's hope it stays that way. Maybe that Weldon gene doesn't run in my blood. Fingers crossed. I still weigh less than Richard--hallelujah!

Floating Forearm--hopefully it will attach by the time we're ready to deliver. Can you see it up above Snap's head?

No meat on these ribs! Looks like Snap already has the skeleton costume for Halloween.

How many fingers am I holding up? Look closely-they're at the top, five little white dots.

Stars, Fresh Air, and Great Company

3 day weekends...what's not to love?! We spent our long (yet, not long enough) weekend in Mammoth Lakes, California. Ever since getting engaged there it has become one of our favorite places to be and try to make it there a couple times each year. AHHH, such fond memories! :)

This weekend we went camping at Sherwin Creek with my dear friend Whitney and her friend Erik. We all had a wonderful time; hiking, eating camp food (it always tastes better cooked in mountain air), laughing, swimming in chilly mountain lakes (not me...didn't want to freeze out baby), beating Richard at cards (which NEVER happens), reading, gasping for air (only me), and eating at a 4 star restaurant which is located in a gas station...yep, you heard that right! It was very relaxing weekend...one I won't soon forget!

P.S.--I am in the first picture; it just is very dark...guess we should have used a flash. Eventhough you can't really see me, the scenery is amazing! The last picture in my BSU garb is solely on this page so you can see my GIGANTIC belly and chubby face...can you believe what's happening to me?! Just don't look too closely at me, I have some strange face going on. Not a picture I will send in when I enter my first beauty pageant that's for certain. Lisa keeps telling me to take pictures for posterity. She wishes she had more; I will take her advice and hope that in 10 years, or even 2 days I don't regret posting it for you all to see! :)

The Nursery--Not as Hard As Names, But Close

Well, here it is...the fabric for Snap's room decor. I found the ABC material on a bumper pad and found some other fabric to compliment it...I hope it does! I really love all the fabrics. My only concern is that the ABC fabric is on a beigeish fabric and the rest is white. White goes with everything doesn't it?! Too late if it doesn't!

(Back story) I already had a complete crib set and then one day, (with the help of Lisa) I decided I couldn't do it for a neutral nursery. It just felt too girly with the mint green and yellow fabric. I thought bolder and brighter would be better, so, I went back to the drawing board and do feel much better about my current choice.

My husband was/is beginning to think I am going crazy over a silly room, as evidenced by questions posed to me similar to the following (no babe, they are probably not exactly what you said, but close): "How often do you think you will actual be in there?" "How many hours do you intend to spend in Snap's room?" "Do you really think Snap will care what colors you place he/she on to go to bed?" "Do you think if Snap is a boy he will hate us for using mint green and yellow?

Here's the jist of is...I just want to sit in the nursery before the baby's arrival and feel so happy with my creation! :) That's not too much for a new mommy to be to ask is it?!

Here are the curtains that Aunt Elizabeth already whipped up using the 2 main fabrics. She also made a dust rufle for the crib in the striped fabric. She even purchased all of the curtain rods and fixtures. All we need now are walls painted the correct color. They turned out VERY CUTE and Snap and I already feel so lucky to have her! Thanks Aunty! :)

Our First Big Purchase

No, no it's not a house...what a bummer, huh? :) But maybe it's one of the next best things. We purchased a stroller and I am so giddy over it! Last week I had girls camp...finally. Up to girls camp I kept telling myself, after I was all finished with that then I could focus on baby. Let's just say, I haven't wasted a single moment.

We went shopping on Saturday and purchased the Bob Revolution Stroller. I have been eyeing it for months and REI had it on sale so we figured we might as well save a few dollars. I love everything about the stroller: big back wheels so we can take it on trails and into the wilderness, lots of storage space, great color, shocks so Snap will have a comfy ride, feels light as a feather to push, folds up with one hand, has a carseat adaptor if we want, but here's the kicker--the one thing that sealed the deal for me...it's made in good ol' Boise, Idaho! Now if someone in Boise can't make a stroller that will stand up to the great outdoors, then I don't know who can! :) Can't wait to use it. It should arrive at the Santa Monica REI in a couple weeks and I just might have to do one of two things: 1) borrow a friends baby just to "really" test it out or 2) push Richard around the block. I bet after a long day at work, he wouldn't mind too much! He's a pretty good sport you know!

Just look how lovely it is...won't we look cute?!

The Title is the Toughest Part

Now I know how my students at school feel when I tell them how important the title is when they are writing stories for class.

I had a little time while Rich was at the Stake Center and I figured that I would get started on my blog...I got as far as the title page and was COMPLETELY stumped! When Rich arrived home I had him use his creative juices to come up with something...let's just say we were cracking up! We decided on Snapshots but here's what it could have been:

• Kimberlog
• Diaries of a Not So Mad Housewife
• How To Turn Your Husband From a Geek Into a Stud in 7,281 Easy Steps
• My SoCal Life
• Who Started This Whole Blog Thing Anyway?
• A Day in the Life of
• Richard Atchley's a Big Fat Idiot and Other Myths
  

To name only a few! Hope you enjoy this. I am not certain how often I will write and I imagine that for the next few months they will be "Snap" shots, but I figure that's what most of you want to see and hear about anyway! ENJOY!!