Pregnancy Brain

So, I'm sure you have either experienced or heard of "pregnancy brain". If you haven't experienced it, but you HAVE heard of it, however are a skeptic-let me be the first to assure you: It is real. Very real.

My mind is all over the place lately. At work, at home, in general-I feel like I'm losing my mind. I say the most off-the-wall things.

You moms and/or fellow Preggos out there know exactly what I'm talking about. I refuse to even provide examples. It's all too embarrassing. Just trust me. I'm losing it.

I've decided to write this post in random fragments...which, is convenient for me as it's how my brain is functioning these days. I promise to proof-read in order to ensure that nothing is too 'out there'. So, consider this non-fiction:

We only have one more class to go-CPR. I know what you're thinking, "Kami, these classes will NOT prepare you for a baby." Point taken. However, it eases my mind to fool myself into the possibility that we are somewhat ready. The nesting continues...washing clothes, cleaning toys, organizing closets, cleaning out cabinets-Again, I realize that "things won't stay this way". But, humor me and let me feel like I have things in order just one last time.

The nursery is extremely close to being done. I just have some final touches to make. Stay tuned for more details. I will say this-I am obsessed with it. Thanks to my friend, Stephanie, with helping me with the accessorizing and details. I go in there and just stand and smile. I can't believe that it will be Raegan's room one day very soon.

My back hurts...really hurts...I'm getting a maximum of about 4 hours of sleep a night...Oh how I miss sleeping on my back! In my nightly state of incoherence, I inevitably roll over onto my back only to wake to Chuck shaking me..."Kami, you're on your back. Roll over". ugh....I hate complaining but I feel compelled to document this so I can look back and know that it was all worth it. Which, I already know, but who doesn't need reminders? Up until this point, pregnancy has been 100% fantastic...even through the sickness and pain. It's still amazing and has changed my life immensely. It's just a little less comfortable right now. :)

Raegan continues to be extremely active. I don't think I'll ever become immune to her moving around inside of me. It's, by far, the most incredible thing I've ever experienced. Chuck and I can hardly wait to meet her. We lie in bed at night talking about what her personality will be like, what we'll be like as parents, what she'll grow up and be, etc.

We are so looking forward to meeting and raising sweet Raegan. It's amazing to think that we love her already....so much.

6 weeks to go. Our weekly OB appointments begin after March 9th.

Baby Showers Take 2 & 3

I apologize for the late update-it's been BABY MANIA in the Ransom world.

I do want to share Baby Shower stories. A few weekends ago, my office and some of my closest friends threw two showers for me.

Work Shower was incredible. The thing is, we always throw showers for each other-whether wedding or baby-our work crew is good like that. But, these girls went all out. And, they had tons of help from lots of our other co-workers, too.

They had the shower in a conference room at work (aka: The Embrace 3 Design Room...My Second Home). Now, before I start spouting off details, let me share this one small nugget of information: My job is very much involved in the software development lifecycle. Nothing fancy-but, I work with some really intelligent people. And, I love it. But, let's be honest, my former Recruiting/Extroverted attire does not necessarily "fit in" with the environment I'm in now. So, all my colleagues like to say that I'm a fashionista...yeah yeah yeah...:) They think that I am an expert with shoes and purses...which, is so funny.

ALL OF THAT SAID, here are the details of the shower:

I walk into the conference room...Silver platters with pinky/peach punch, cupcakes with "R"s on them (compliments of Gerrye, my Clinical Design partner), peach and white confetti-everywhere! Peach streamers from the ceiling. And, let's not forget-the m&ms with "Raegan Claire" and "Ransom 2009" on them. Here's the best part:

Above all of that, there are peach and white boxes with BABY SHOES sitting on them-everywhere! Tons of baby shoes, everywhere I look. Dress shoes, boots (think "ugg", not "cowboy"), converse, etc. Then, I look more closely, and there are BABY PURSES lying on the tables everywhere too! Purses! Tons of them! Pink, blue, fur, etc. They are all over the place. I was completely overwhelmed....in a GOOD way.

Now, while I'm not as "girly" as they all would like to think-I still LOVED every bit of it and thoroughly appreciated all of the little details. It was so much fun! People I used to work with in other departments at the company came; people I recruited and hired a long time ago came; people I basically "live with" in my current role came. It was so exciting. Here are a few shots of the fun! Not a whole lot of "designing" in the Embrace 3 Room between 2-3pm on that day!

Thanks to Andrea, Julie, and Kim for such a wonderful shower; I am so blessed to have you as co-workers AND, more importantly, as friends.

Food table :)

Snap shot of some of the decor--cute!

More decor!

Nicole and me admiring one of the little purses

Look at the shoes!

We made him pose...Don was still in the room working during the shower---of course!

"R" cupcakes, compliments of Gerrye Stegall-my clinical partner on our project

M & Ms with Raegan's name on them-PRECIOUS! Thanks, Andrea!

Me with the awesome hostesses-Andrea, Julie, and Kim

Taking a break out of their super busy day to stop by the shower-I work with the best people

Kathy, Terri, and Marsha-always smiling :)

Clinical brains and me

(It was "Go Red" day for American Heart Association-hence, our matching attire)

Aruna and me :)

Time to open gifts

Debbie Sanford MADE this for Raegan-what a special gift!

Kim's son, Wyatt, even sent a gift. Cole Haan loafers! Are you kidding me?!?!

Caroline and me-due 3 days apart. And, yes, I know-I'm much, much larger

And.....back to work

The following day, some of my best friends threw a Baby Shower for me at my friend, Ali's, house. There is no way I can really articulate the details that made it all so perfect. I'll try...

First of all, I have the best friends in the world; I'm fully convinced. They went above and beyond, as usual, in throwing my shower. Some of the details: Decorations---peach and gray painted canvases with Raegan's monogram over the fireplace; pearls and tulling everywhere; a basket at the door where everyone dropped in an item that they were secretly asked to bring that she felt was a "must have" or a "life saver" for a new mom; scrapbook pages decorated and ready to slip right into Raegan's scrapbook where all the guests signed a note to Raegan (it's a good thing I waited to get home before I read these notes. Two words: Boo Hoo.)

What else? Oh! Peach punch, great food, and let's not forget---cupcakes with peach decorations. The shower was, honestly, perfect.

So many of my closest friends along with my mom, mother-in-law, and Aunt Jill all in the same place at the same time. I have to be honest and say that, typically, I'm really self-conscious at this type of event when it's for "me". However, I have to say-I wasn't nervous at all. Yes, I was overwhelmed with how much time, effort, etc that everyone put into the shower, the gifts, etc-But, the fact that they party was really for Raegan made me so much less self conscious. I focused on soaking it all in and enjoying every minute.

Thanks to Ali, Jen, Elaine, Stephanie H, Casey, Mandy, and Stephanie E for hosting! Everything was perfect. I can't wait for Raegan to meet all of her adopted "Aunts". :)

Gorgeous food table-my friends definitely know decor, and especially FOOD! :)

How creative is this? Ragean's initials on the mantel. Ali is way too creative

Entry way-the Basket of Wisdom from Hostesses and Guests-one of my FAVORITE things

Everyone :)

A special flower delivery from Chuck-too sweet

 
Gift opening

 
Stephanie, Michelle, me, Dana, and Mary

With "De-De" and "Nan-Nan"

 
Me with the sweet hostesses (note to self-get back in heels immediately following delivery-wow! I'm short!)Case, Stephanie H, Mandy, Stephanie E, Jen, Elaine, and Ali

The fun didn't end there--my mom joined in the "nesting activities" for the weekend. She was a major help; I don't think I've ever done so much laundry in my life.

More updates later....