target gift cards

Wouldn't you agree that target gift cards are one of the best things ever! I mean who wouldn't want one. You can find anything at target, cute clothes, groceries, bathroom supplies, picture frames, you name it, target has it!

I have had the luxury of being able to use target gift cards these past few weeks for baby items and it is great to come home with much needed supplies without any money coming out of our bank account. We were able to get a crib mattress, a first aide kit, socks, baby headbands, and just a lot of little odds and ends we needed.

We are pretty much set for the baby, except we don't have our travel system yet (car set, stroller, carrier), yikes! It's pretty expensive, and we don't have quite enough money to pay for it yet so we are waiting for the 10% discount babies R us offers 2 weeks before your due date. Hopefully she doesn't come early because you can't bring the baby home from the hospital without a car seat.

I know God is faithful and will provide. Actually, we just got a check from Brett's grandma which will really help with the purchase of the travel system. We have been blessed with many things for Maya, and I am so thankful!


36 weeks!

Only 3 weeks left! We are praying that Maya will come April 18th (my mom will be here and it will maximize my maternity leave). My Dr. thinks she will be a 7 to 7.5 pound baby, but she said she wouldn't be surprised if I had a 9 pound baby! (no thanks, yikes)

Hair

Is it wrong to be so picky about my hair? I mean, as it is I am not fond of my random curly, dry, dishwater blonde, mess of hair. It is just hard to do, it doesn't look good curly and takes a long time to straighten and there are always dark roots. I mean I could just dye it brown, but I look unhealthy with it brown and keeping it blonde, well that gets expensive. To top it all off I feel like I can't trust anyone to cut my hair because somehow a trim will turn in a botch. What is it about hair stylist straightening curly hair, somehow it can't be done.

Well I finally had it with my hair. I am having a baby in 4 weeks and I had to have some sanity and feel semi-good about myself while going through labor. Plus I hadn't had my hair cut since November and just about every end was split. I went with my friend emily's recommendation since her hair always looks cute and it is naturally curly, plus she doesn't have to spend $130 for a cut and color.

So I went to see Jennifer, expecting that I would leave the appointment with the usual stress of wanting to straighten my hair right away and wishing I didn't have one short random layer. I was pleasantly surprise. She did a good job, she did highlights, a trim, thinned it out and fixed some of my previous mess ups. And the shocker, she was actually able to straighten it and I didn't have to fix a thing when I got home. The bonus of it all was that the total was $ 74.00 ($90 with a tip). I thought that was a good price, compared to what I have payed in the past (Brett thought otherwise). I wouldn't go as far as to say it was the best hair cut I have ever had (only Ali could achieve that). Being the picky person that I am, it is a little lighter than I wanted and a few of the underneath hairs are a little bit blotchy, but overall I would go back to her for sure.
I don't have a great picture of my new cut, so here is a picture of me and my friend Jamie, who is due just a few weeks after me (my new cut and color are in the picture).

34 weeks

I think I am going to miss being pregnant, even though I am uncomfortable sometimes and have to pee a lot, I am really going to miss having this life grow inside of me.

most expensive

They picture frames with the pictures in them were the most expensive.

The 3 frames were about $32.00 (and that was on sale), but the prints were about $35.00 because I had to go to a professional place since they were old photos without negatives that had to be blown up. It was worth it though, it's my favorite part of Maya's room.

Maya's room

We are just about done with Maya's room

Before


In the process


DONE!





It says, "you knit me together in my mothers womb"


Little Jenni on left, Little Brett on Right, space for Maya in the middle

I love being in her room, it's my favorite spot in the house. Want to guess what the most expensive thing to do in the room was (besides furniture)?

california

It was a good trip. I always love going home to see BFF and my family, this trip had an added bonus with getting to have a baby shower and see even more friends!

I stayed with BFF for 2 days, it was great! We went to Chevy's (great mexican, but horrible service that day), we made oreo lollipops, we watched Once (I feel asleep), and my favorite part was playing with 2 year old Kyri. As soon as we got home she wanted to play, running everywhere, that little girl doesn't walk, everything is running. I read to her, she poked my baby belly, we pretend painted, she served me a cup of tea, and when she woke up from nap time or bed time she would get up and say, "Jenni?" BFF has done such a great job with her, I only hope my daughter is half as great as she is. Plus Kyri already loves Mexican food and dancing, she is her mother's daughter.




Saturday, although rainy and cold was a good day because it was Maya's first baby shower. It was at my sister Carrisa's house in Chico. Carrisa, and my youngest sister Danae had worked hard on decorating and making delicious food, plus they had some of my favorite candy: runts, chewy watermelons, and sour belts. My favorite thing was the home-aide pink and brown polk-a-dot cake.

Everything was so cute and perfect Maya loved it! Almost every person who was invited to the shower came! It was about 26 people, which was a big surprise, since I was expecting a small gathering. It was great to see so many friends, and family (my mom, aunt, cousin, grandma, and sisters all came) it was such a blessing.

At times it was overstimulating, or even slightly overwhelming, there were just so many people to talk to and play catch up with in 5 minutes, whew. There were 3 other pregnant friends there, a few babies came, and even my old boss. I loved seeing everyone and wouldn't have changed it. I think I did forget a few times that I had to pee, and by the end of the shower my bladder was in explosion mode. Maya received some wonderful gifts and I can't wait to use, try on, and play with them all. Having a girl is a lot of fun!



After the shower I met up with an old college/high school friend and his wife (who is also expecting). We went to Plutos, my mom and youngest sister joined us and we all enjoyed huge customized delicious salads. It was fun catching up, exchanging gifts, and talking with another expecting mother (who by the way is totally adorable).

Sunday, was again pouring rain, but I was able to attend my old church and visit with an old friend, Chandra. We were able to eat at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants, Meehos, I enjoyed my usual bean and cheese burrito.

The rest of the day was spent hanging out with mom, baking cookies, making dinner, and getting a migraine and throwing up. The latter portion was not very fun I just think my body had over done it. I can't wait to go back with Maya!