2008-Year in Review

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Got pregnant!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any last year. I'm working on some for this year...

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Some of my internet Bumpies. =] I wouldn't say we are close in distance...but we are close at heart.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries did you visit?
None...and that to me is sad.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A baby, guess I'm getting my wish! =]

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 9 - Our one year wedding anniversary.
June 12 - I pee'd on a stick & got two lines! =]
July 20 - Saw & heard our bean for the first time.
Dec 31 11:59pm-January 1 Midnight - Madie will officially be full term. (That one is kind of cheating...but come on!)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Carrying this baby full term, I'm proud of my body.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I'm not sure. My marriage suffered in ways and so did my friendships.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
16 weeks of morning sickness & a lovely development of anemia.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
That first pregnancy test. =]

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Bo, We thought it wouldn't work out but he definetly proved us wrong.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I can't answer this because I'm done stepping on toes.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills, bills, & baby.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Everything to do with the baby: getting pregnant, hearing the heartbeat, finding out she had a vagina. =] I have to add that Obama's win was a much celebrated event.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Ooo, tough call. There are a few songs that matched a lot of moments for me...but I don't feel like typing them.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier.
b) thinner or fatter? slightly fatter - I'm pregnant
c) richer or poorer? poorer, MUCH poorer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Spent time with friends, cooked dinner more.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
picking arguments, stressing about baby.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With our families.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
The first time I saw that heartbeat I knew my life would never be the same, I fell harder on that day than I ever have before.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
One Tree Hill.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I'm moving on from things like that, I don't have the energy to hate.

24. What was the best book you read?
I re-read My Sister's Keeper...so I hope that counts. Also, I must mention Twilight.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Ah, I'm not really that musical. I feel in love with some new bands...Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers deserves a mention.

26. What did you want and get?
A crock-pot, a baby, a new puppy & a waffle maker. Yay for me.

27. What did you want and not get?
A new job.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Toss up between The Dark Knight & Twilight.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 24 on June 15th. Three days after recieving a positive pregnancy test...we went to an amusement park with our good friends and their son...and we told them we were KU (knocked-up). =]

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Winning the lottery.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Maternity - ugh.

32. What kept you sane?
My family & my husband...and Duke dog.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Britney Spears, Robert Pattinson...and Obama.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Anything to do with the election...

35. Who did you miss?
Jill because Japan stole her, Jess because Alask stole her...and Naomi & Jen...because life got in the way.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
The best people I've met are women I've never met before...The ones who have kept me sane and laughing during the hard times.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
That you don't need money or material things to make you happy.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

I've dealt with my ghosts and I've faced all my demons
Finally content with a past I regret
I've found you find strength in your moments of weakness
For once I'm at peace with myself
I've been burdened with blame, trapped in the past for too long
I'm movin' on

In other news...

We had our 36wk appointment on Monday, and Madie is no longer breech!

We are so happy that our little girl is already a good listener and follows directions. =]

I go back on Wednesday (New Years Eve) & I'll find out if I'm dilated at all...which should be interesting. =/

I'll keep you posted!


Oh! And I hope everyone had a GREAT christmas! I know we did!

**Please remember that I was completely exhausted...and I don't usually look this bad! haha.**

Madeline's Nursery

It's not quite done...It needs some things on the walls, and a few more things added to it. But people are getting impatient, so here are some pictures!

Madie's closet:


The bookcase:



Dresser & Changing table:



Crib:



Rocker (until we get Glider) & side table:

**(Don't mind DH, he was pretending to rock her and then was sad because he wants her to be here...)**

Yay!

Sorry for the delay in posts, my mom had my camera chip! But now it's back...

Here's the newest pictures:





35wks & 2dys!

34wk Dr's Appt.

Well, Madie's heartbeat is a strong 140. =] I have gained three more lbs. (and I'm completely blaming it on Thanksgiving).

Madie is still breech...so that means in 2wks (when I'll be 36wks) we will have a 4th ultrasound to check on her position. If she is no longer breech than we continue along on our journey towards a normal delivery. However, if she is still breech we will schedule a c-section. Which is crazy to think that in 2wks we could have a birthdate for Madie. Woah.

Anyways, I think that's about it...
xo.

Hello Week 33!

Baby’s senses are continuing to improve -- when light peeks in through your (extremely) stretched belly, those tiny eyelids and irises blink and dilate. And, baby can now recognize and react to simple songs… time to start practicing your lullabies! Growth (at least inside your womb) is starting to slow, and you may notice baby descend into your pelvis at the end of this month.

Maternity Photos! <3

We had maternity pictures done on Saturday after my shower...I wanted to share a few.

They are a bit grainy, because they are just proofs and were copied off a website.

Enjoy!

















xo.

Baby Shower <3

Yesterday I had my baby shower. My mom & My best friend hosted it. I had such a great time. I couldn't have asked for more.

We got so many amazing gifts, I can't believe how generous people were. We hardly have anything left to buy, just the monitors, crib mattress & baby carrier.

The nursery is almost done...but until then it's all in the dining room. =]

Enjoy a few pictures:







Hope you had a great weekend!

xo.

32wks...

Just wanted to share a couple 32wk pictures:







Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving!

xo.

32wk Appointment

Ok, so I'm only 31wks & 5dys...but who's counting?? =]

DH & I went for the 32wk appt today, which means we had our third & final u/s. Madie looks really good, very healthy & all her parts are where they should be...haha, thank god for that, right?

Her heartbeat was a strong 142, she hated getting her picture taken (she is so my daughter already, I guarantee she'll be a photographer too...) and kept putting her hands in front of her face.

We got some 3D pictures, that are showing us her chubby little cheeks and her super cute button nose! =]







In the last picture you can see her fingers on her forehead...she was getting ready to block the next few pictures.

We met with one of the Dr's after for a checkup & it looks like Madie is breech, again, but that she has more than enough room to flip back before labor. =]

Also, she's measuring in at just over 4lbs, and is in the 66th percentile for weight...which means that she might be our little chubby baby. I doubt that though, DH & I were both very small when born...but who knows, she might take after our siblings!

That's all for now. Hope your all satisfied! =]

xo.

I'm not a slacker, I'm just pregnant...

Ok, Ok, I know it's been a few days. But you'll be happy to know that right after this post I will be posting pictures from our ultrasound today! So now you can all stop criticizing me... =p

First, DH started putting Madie's floor in! Yayyy! I'll be posting pictures of that tomorrow because DH made me promise I would not take any until the entire floor was done. I'm going to obey him for fear that he might stop doing it if I disobey. =]

In other news, Ummm, my shower is in 3 days (technically)...it's on Saturday. And it's early in the am, so I'm not counting Saturday.

Turkey day is in two days...one if you don't count today or thursday...and I can't wait for turkey & gravy...and PUMPKIN PIE!

Ta-Ta. xo!

Yayyyyy!

DH went and bought the floor tonight!!

It's still in boxes, but it's here!!! =]

xo.

Who needs a floor?

Definetly not Madie...oh wait, yes she does!

We went and picked out new flooring today (because the original flooring we wanted was discontinued...). I'm happy because it's much darker, and we'll actually be saving money now! Yay!

I can't wait, I think we are going to go get it this week so that it can be put in (hopefully) over the weekend. I'm so happy I could cry. I really wanted it done before the shower and I completely doubted that it would be...but the shower isn't till the 29th, so we have just enough time!

Once that's done we need the chair rail & molding for the room...I think DH is going to do them the day before Thanksgiving. And then hopefully the day before the shower we can at least put together the crib, dresser & changing table (that needs to be painted, because it's off white =[)

Anyways, hope everyone had a great weekend!
xo.

30wks!

Here's the 30 wk pictures...only 10 more to go (give or take a few)! It's crazy to think I'm 3/4's done with this pregnancy already!





xo.

www.ashleyrosenbrock.com

Well, my photography website is FINALLY up & running! I'm so excited...I'm really hoping to book some weddings for next summer. Even if it's only a couple...just to get my foot in the door.

I did a bunch this summer as an assistant and two on my own. Hopefully, I'll be continuing along this crazy journey.

Check it out: www.ashleyrosenbrock.com
Pass it on to your friends & family. I AM WILLING TO TRAVEL, but they must pay for my travel expenses. =]

xo.

Painting Part 2

I had to coach this morning...and when I came home, the second part of painting was done!

The husband is getting some major points today! =]




Next is the chair rail & then the flooring...Whew.

xo.

Pumpkin-y Goodness

Last night I made some amazing pumpkin bars...you must try them.



Pumpkin Bars
2 cups flour
4 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup cooking oil
2 tsps baking powder
2 tsps ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 15oz can pumpkin

Place mixture into greased & floured cake pan.
Bake @ 350* for 25-30 minutes or until inserted toothpick is clean.
Let cool for 2 hrs before frosting with cream cheese frosting.
**I cheated and used store bought frosting...**

I PASSED!

Well, everyone's prayers did me well. I passed my 1 hr glucose test...which means no 3 hr for this girl! Yay!

However, slightly bad news...I'm anemic. Woohoo. It's not that serious, nothing some iron supplements can't fix and it will go away after I have Madie.

Also, Madie baby is no longer breech! Round of applause for Madie!! =] And she still hates the heartbeat machine...

Starting now I have appointment every other week until 36wks and then I switch to once a week until I'm full term @ 40wks.

So, my next appt. is Tuesday the 25th & that will be my last ultrasound! And then the next time I'll get ti see my little bean will be the day I get to hold her in my arms. It feels so crazy to say that!

xo.

I'm a moron...

I never set my alarm last night and SLEPT THRU my appointment this morning. Luckily they got me in later today...I woke up and freaked out. It was a good start to my morning. =/

I was really upset because I wouldn't have been able to schedule my 32wk ultrasound...and today I should get my GD test results back. I'm praying that I don't have to take the 3 hr. I think you should all pray too!

xo.

Painting Part 1

Sooo, the husband went upstairs and painted the pink on Madie's walls today! Yay for him!



**DH is turning that little cutout into a built in bookshelf!**



**He really doesn't like having his picture taken...so I always make sure to torment him with the camera. =]**


Next is the chocolate brown paint on the bottom & then the white chair rail! And then we can finally lay the new flooring down. I'm really hoping we can do all this before the shower. Cross your fingers!

GD Test #1

Ok so I just wrote this really long post about my glucose test for gestational diabetes...and then blogger.com errored and deleted it. So, now your stuck with a short crappy post...

I had my test today, it sucked. The drink had ice chips floating in it and gave me brain freeze. The tech had no idea what she was doing and wanted to take blood from the left are that has no visible frikin veins instead of the right arm where there is a big ole vein poking out...

So, I now have swelling and bruising (which I have never had before after giving blood work).

That was the extent of my awesome day.

xo.

29 down, 11 to go!

Well my little Madie is currently a little squash (which I think is perfect, since it's almost Thanksgiving!!)...



Baby’s energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. (Have those kicks and jabs to the ribs tipped you off yet?) Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though -- as you’ve also probably noticed -- they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments.

Happy (Belated) Halloween!

Just wanted to share a few pictures from last night (halloween):



(I didn't really dress up...I was just sad that this was the first Halloween that I wouldn't have a costume. So, I pulled out a few pieces from last year's costume and put them on for this picture. Duke, however, got to wear his pumpkin hoodie again and he was less than happy with me. It's not my fault that he's put on weight and it no longer fits... =] )



(It took me about 10 tries to get this picture. Usually, he sees the camera and stops whatever he is doing so that you can get a picture of him. He LOVES the camera...but he was obviously punishing me for putting this on him.)



(And here's just a normal picture...Madie is 28wks and 1dy in this picture! Less than 12 wks to go!)


Hope everyone had a good Halloween! Next up, Thanksgiving!! =]

xo.

And just one more...

We did a *New Years Newborn Gift Swap* with all the nesties and Madie's gift came last night:



I love them so much & I can't wait to put Madie in her little sleeper! =]

Thanks erickacole!

More food! =]

Sorry that this blog isn't always about Madie & I. But I figured how many times can I say "Oh, she moved today!". haha.

So, I figured why not add other things...

The day that third tri started was also Mine & DH's 10 year anniversary of the day we started dating! Yup, 10 years. It's crazy, I know.

Well, I thought I would be a good wife and make an awesome dinner:



AND, I made dessert: Champagne Chocolate Mousse with homemade Raspberry Whipped Cream:



Oh, and yes, those flowers in the pictures were from DH! That man knows me so well! I'd rather have flowers than anything else! =]

xo.

27wks.

FINALLY, We are officially third trimester! =]



She is getting so strong! She's rolling a lot more...and dragging her little arms and legs across my abdomen. It's so weird to reached down and feel her little hand or foot sticking out! =]

xo.

Just call me a slacker...

Wednesday night Dh really wanted breakfast for dinner...

So, we made apple cinnamon pancakes with bacon.



And then I made apple topping to go on the pancakes...It was pretty awesome!



xo.

I made dinner...

Last night, I was just really in the mood to cook. I thought I would share our yummy dinner. =]



And I made dessert! You have to make these S'more Brownies! They are amazing!



Here's the recipe...enjoy!

S'mores Brownies
Ingredients

Crust:
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons sugar
Pinch fine salt

Brownie:
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
4 large cold eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour

Topping:
4 cups large marshmallows

Directions
Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat oven to 325 degrees F. Line an 8 by-8-inch square baking pan with foil so it hangs over the edges by about 1 inch.
For the crust: Lightly butter the foil with some of the melted butter. Stir the rest of the butter together with the crumbs, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Press the crumb mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the brownie. Put the butter and chocolate in a medium microwave safe bowl. Melt in the microwave on 75 percent power for 2 minutes. Stir, and microwave again until completely melted, about 2 minutes more. Alternatively, put the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with 1 inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl on the pan without touching the water. Stir occasionally until melted. Stir the light brown and white sugars, vanilla and salt into the melted chocolate. Add the eggs and beat vigorously to make a thick and glossy batter. Add the flour and stir until just incorporated.
Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the top is crispy and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out mostly clean, with a few crumbs, about 40 to 45 minutes.
Remove from the oven and carefully position a rack about 6 inches from the broiler and preheat on low. Layer marshmallows across the top and toast under the broiler until golden, (keep an eye on it, it can go quick), about 2 minutes. Cool on a rack, gently removing the brownies from the pan using the aluminum flaps. Carefully separate any marshmallow from the foil and fold away. Cut into 12 (2-inch) squares.