False Alarm

Hopefully this will be the only false alarm I have...

Andy and I made a trip to Fairfax Hospital last night. I must say it was a much nicer trip than the last one. I believe I referred to my stay there in September as "the ninth circle of hell"- A bit dramatic looking back on it, but that is how I felt at the time.

I'll spare you the details, but I thought I had possibly started labor. I called my doc and she was at Fairfax (delivering twins) and told me to come in. So, Andy and I grabbed my bag and headed to the hospital. I must say I was extremely calm and collected, as was Andy.

I got checked in, put in a triage bed, and hooked up to all the monitors. Turns out I was not in labor. My doc said this happens all the time with first-time moms and said I did the right thing by calling, so that made me feel better.

The good news is that now we know where to go and we're all registered and checked it. I also got to have another sonogram and see the baby! I haven't seen him/her since my 20 week sono, so that was really nice. I saw baby's lungs breathing and the heart beating, as well as some head turns from side to side.

I guess that was my one false start. Next time, I'm disqualified.

Guessing Game

When will baby D. arrive?

Here are the guesses so far:

Name Date Sex Weight AM/PM

Grandma P. 3/26 boy 7.12 12 noon

Ashley 4/6 girl 7.6 pm

Erin 3/29 boy 7.8 pm

Katie E. 4/5 boy 8 pm

Mary D 4/3 no idea 7.11 am

Justine 3/31 boy 7.7 pm

Uncle Danny D. 4/6 boy 6.7 Late in the pm

Aunt Katie D. 4/3 boy 7.8 am

Grandma Pati D. 4/3 boy 7.14 am 12:01-4:30

Kelly 3/30 boy 8 am

Aunt Natasha 4/5 boy 8.2 pm

Andy 3/28 boy pm 9:38

Erich 3/28 boy 10.4 pm

Aunt Kerry P. 4/2 girl 7.2 am

Molly 3/31 girl 7 pm

Sara Y. 3/31 boy 7.2 pm

Cousin Melissa H. 4/5 girl 8.1 am

Chuck 3/29 boy 9.9 pm

Uncle John P. 4/1 boy am

Jenny R. 4/1 boy 8 2 am

Grandpa D. 4/2 boy 7.6 pm

Uncle Chris D. 3/29 girl 7.6 pm

Brittany 4/2 girl 7.9 pm

Courtney 4/2 boy 7.12 pm

What a difference a year makes

Then and Now: How some things have changed in the past 365 days.

(By the way, I wrote this at 3 in the morning last night, so I hope it makes sense)

Example number one: Celebrating Kelly's birthday.
Last year we went to a bar and danced the night away. This year we went to dinner and talked about being pregnant.


Kelly's birthday last year at Blue Iguana. Kelly, Me, and Summer.

Dancing at Blue Iguana. Kelly and I are doing a dance that my brother Jim made up called the Pac-Man. He often showcases this dance at weddings and other special events. Kelly is being Pac-Man and I am being the ghost. She is about to swallow me alive! Strange, I know... but a real crowd pleaser.

We affectionately call our local watering hole the BI or Green Lizard for short. This restaurant/bar is literally 3 minutes from my house and Kelly's house, so you could often find us sitting on the patio outside enjoying a tasty beverage at least one night (okay maybe two nights) a week from May- September. Another shot from Kelly's birthday last year.

Okay... let's flash ahead to Kelly's birthday this year. We celebrated with a quiet evening of dinner and lots of desserts at a local restaurant. Much tamer than last year don't you think?

Kelly, Me, and Katie celebrating Kelly's bday. There was a snow storm that night, so we had a smaller crowd. Those of us with 4-wheel drive made it out. At least we are still somewhat adventurous.

Example number two:

St. Patrick's Day last year and this year.

Andy and I at the Irish Festival in Arlington last year.

Andy, Erin, Kelly, and Court enjoying some tasty treats at Rock Bottom Brewery.

Fast forward to St. Patty's Day this year. Andy and I are babysitting our adorable nephew Christopher for the night. Last year I never would have given up my St. Patty's Day, and this year I'm volunteering to babysit! I'm practically encouraging Dave and Kerry to stay out all night because I'm so excited to watch Chris. Oh, how things have changed!

Christopher at our house.

Doesn't he look like he is telling us something extremely profound? I imagine he is thinking... "As a matter of fact mommy, I beg to differ. I think chicken nuggets are better than goldfish."

So darn cute!

Onesies from Uncle Jim

For many years my brother Jim and I have exchanged ridiculously absurd T-Shirts on our birthdays. It all started around his 21st birthday. I was on vacation in OCNJ and I saw a T-shirt shop on the boardwalk. It was one of those super cheap T-shirt shops where you can have anything you want placed on a T-shirt. You know what I'm talking about... those silkscreen and press-on label shirts that you can only find on boardwalks.

Anyways, I saw a plain white T-shirt with a picture of a Chihuahua on it. This was the ugliest dog picture I had ever seen. So of course I immediately slapped down my $5.95 and bought the thing. I had them attach the word "JIM" in big letters directly under the hideous dog picture.

A few weeks later, Jim was in Fairfax to celebrate his 21st birthday. He was a trooper, and wore the "JIM" T-shirt all night.

So that is how the absurd T-shirt exchange began. Jim has now taken it to a new level as he purchased baby D. some ridiculous onesies! I love it!

For example... this is the T-shirt I got Jim for his birthday this year. Jon Bon Jovi would be pleased.

Onesies for the baby...

And the transformation begins...

If you have ever been to our home, you know how Andy and I (well, actually Andy) has designed the interior with our specific tastes in mind. You know we like clean lines, modern furniture and not a lot of clutter. I have a feeling all of that is about to change!

In a few weeks, (or hopefully sooner!) I envision toys scatterd about, diapers, burp cloths, bottles and the like all over the house. I can't wait!

The pack and play is set up in the living room. Thanks Dave and Kerry!

We have just about finished up the nursery except for a few more things we are going to place on the walls. I just love how peaceful it is in this room right now. I wonder how long that will last?

All the clothes are washed, folded and ready to go. I have filled all the dresser drawers with baby clothes that I received at my showers.

The changing table and crib. The bassinet is in our bedroom.

Grandma and Grandpa Powderly gave us a few more frog themed items for the baby's bathroom. We are still waiting on the frog shower curtain, but it is on the way.

Kelly and Erich gave us this adorable froggy bathrobe!

The following are from Grandma and Grandpa P.

New site

Andy's new website:

http://andydevlin.carbonmade.com/

Sunday March 4th baby shower at the Hubbard's

This weekend my friends hosted an amazing baby shower for me at the Hubbard's house. I had such a wonderful time!

I truly can't believe all of the wonderful gifts I received. Baby D got so many adorable outfits. I did four loads of baby laundry on Monday. I had such a great time organizing the nursery and putting away all the awesome gifts I received.

Here are some pictures:

The Hubbard's amazing house! (I stole this picture from Justine)

My beautiful and delicious cake! Thanks Natasha! She also gave me an amazing diaper bag!

Opening presents!

The following five pictures were taken by Justine Ungaro.

http://www.studiodiana.com/

http://justineungaro.blogspot.com/

The indoor pool!

Katie and Pati D.

Giselle and Tash

Entrance to the house

Erin and Katie

Puttin' on the Ritz

Well, it is 5:30 in the morning and guess who’s still awake? If you guessed me, give yourself a pat on the back. Thanks to a 14 hour migraine Wednesday night into Thursday afternoon, my sleep schedule is now especially messed up (yet again).

I’m not complaining. I have found plenty of constructive things to do in the wee hours of the morning. So far I have:

• cleaned out my makeup drawer
• reorganized my closet
• folded laundry
• finished the book I was reading
• made an elaborate “to-do” list that I will never complete
• written thank you cards
• and sat in my new glider in the nursery while dreaming about the baby

See, I’m not complaining!

Then, I realized I forgot to post pictures from my friend Becky’s 40th birthday bash held at The Ritz Carlton last Saturday. I’m telling you, I had the perfect spot at this party. Since I’m nine months pregnant, I basically sat down the entire time. People just rotated through to talk to me and I didn’t even have to get up! The waiters came by with yummy appetizers and I didn’t have to budge all night. I had my helpful brother Mike, and Courtney to get me a non-alcoholic beverage whenever I beckoned for one from the bar. Sometimes this pregnancy thing really has advantages.

Too bad I couldn’t do the worm at this party. I should be back into tip-top worm condition this summer.

Here are some pics:

Becky's birthday cake. Yes, that is a cake made to look like a Versace purse! Yummy!

Courtney and Gordon

Mike and Natasha

Showered with love (and frogs)

My former colleagues from Irving MS hosted a lovely baby shower for me on Wednesday evening. It was nice to catch up with my friends and celebrate baby D. (I also didn't mind all the food and cake!)

I also received many frog themed items from my parents. I have pictured some below!

Frog towels for the baby's bathroom!

A froggy hamper!

Who knows... the baby may arrive in time for St. Patrick's Day!

Frog stuffed animal


A frog robe just for me! I have to match the baby!

Lots of adorable yellow and green outfits for the baby girl or boy!