Handmade blankets

We received a package from Doug, Susana, and Eve (my uncle, aunt and cousin) today. Inside was a sock monkey (one of my favorites from when I was little!), a butterfly book and a handmade quilt! I am so overwhelmed that people are hand-making things for our little girl. It is so special and these are things she will cherish forever!

I am also putting on a picture of the crib with mattress (finally)!!

car seat

I was so surprised yesterday when the car seat was delivered to the house! The note in the box said from "Med school class 2005 friends." So sweet and thoughtful of them!!!

I have really been overwhelmed with all of the gifts we have received. Thank you to everyone!! It really helps to know that people are there to support us especially since we don't know a ton of people here in Maine besides my hospital friends. Who are so important to me as well!

I also got another handmade blanket today from Erin Baker. She is the wife of my fellow residents.

My baby shower

Last weekend was so wonderful! My parents were here from MN and my sister threw me a shower. It took place at The Good Egg and the theme was ladybugs! We had brunch followed by an activity and then opened gifts. For the activity we each got a onesie and decorated them with markers. Laura also made the most incredible ladybug cupcakes! It was so special to have my mom and dad there. Mark also joined in and made a onsie that said "My daddy is the best!" Other guests included some of my fellow residents, spouses of the male residents and some nurses. There was also a baby, a toddler and a little girl!

The rest of the day Saturday we worked on the nursery. Barb, Mark's mom, made some artwork for the nursery that we hung up. That night we went to dinner...the whole family including Jon.

The following Monday my dad ran the Boston marathon. He had a good time although he says it was the toughest marathon he has run. I am so proud of him!!

9 months!! But more important...one week left of nights!!!

People always say a human gestational time period is 9 months. It's not...it's 10 months. So one more month to go theoretically. I had a doctor's appointment on Thursday. I am 1 cm dilated and 75% effaced. I guess that's because I stand up a lot.
Which brings me to night float, standing and working. Whoever thought that working 80 hours a week, at night, 9 months pregnant would be reasonable is probably a little bit crazy. At least I'm starting to realize this now. Mark tells me how crazy it is everyday but I don't listen. I can't. At the beginning of the month I thought it would be fine. Then the second week into nights I got sick and had to take home call one night. The third week is starting to wear on me. I am writing this at 4:20 am as I wait for a little baby to get here from another hospital so I might be slightly biased in this entry about how tired I am. Nevertheless, I am starting to get really tired. And emotional. But ONE MORE WEEK of nights left in my entire surgical residency career. Thank goodness that at least I can look forward to it being over.

Baby names

Mark's office has a pool going to guess the baby name and weight. In one of the pictures from the shower you can see the pink piggie bank with money in it.
I was surprised how close they are with some of the names! Some of the names on the list were Olivia, Bridget, Isabelle, Elizabeth, Nora, Coleen, Molly, Rachel. Dr. Mills even took a stab at it...his guess was Prarie Dawn!
What we've actually done over the last eight months is come up with a master list of about three or four names which are our favorites. I have one in mind which is my personal favorite but we are going to wait until we see our little sweetie before we pick the final name. Then we'll know that the name suites her. Hopefully, that process won't take more than a day! Actually, Mark picked out most of the names on the list. He has done a very good job I think. The easy part is the middle name which is Marie. Marie is a Krabbenhoft middle name tradition. Both my mother and I have the middle name Marie.

Mark's baby shower

Mark's office surprised him with a baby shower on Thursday and I was invited as a surprise guest! They had a three tier diaper cake decorated with blankets, bibs, rattles and a rubber duckie on top. The first gift Mark opened was from Dottie, his assistant. It was a tool belt labeled, "Daddy's Diaper Service"! In the pockets were tongs, rubber gloves, ear plugs and protective eye gear! We were both overwhelmed with the gifts we received. Dottie had also hand-made a pink and green blanket. Lila had hand-crocheted a beautiful white dress with matching hat! We also got our snap-n-go stroller, hamper, boppy pillow, and swing from our registry. It was a great time and fun to see the soon-to-be Dad as the center of attention!

Virtual baby shower

I had my first baby shower tonight and it was all over the phone! The GAC girls did something similar for Jessica when she was pregnant with Sacha. So Amanda, Jessica, Laura, Stef, Mel and Sara all called in for a shower conference call! You would think having seven girls on the phone would be difficult but it actually works very well.

The girls who have children already gave me lots of advice and explained how those kids continue to get cuter each and every day. I opened my gifts which included a pack and play, clothes, books and a painting to match the nursery.

I feel very blessed in my life right now. I have amazing friends. Thanks so much you guys!!!

Crib!

We got our crib. Early! They said it would take 12 weeks but we got it well before the baby is due. It is gorgeous. Now we just need to get a mattress, bedding and a baby!