Five for Fridays

1. March Madness is in full gear... and as quickly as it started, my bracket abruptly came to an end. Normally, every year I will place in the top three or so of the pools I have entered... but this year I have been teetering on dead last. In each of my three pools, only one of them has a final four team left... Oh well... better luck next year!

2. It was a rough week at school this week. One of our own students passed away on Monday. He was a senior, and his parents are both teachers at our school. It was an unforeseen and sudden death. My thoughts go out to the Duncan friends and family during this time of need.

3. The weather has been wacky here in this last week. It has been cloudy, overcast, terrential down pouring at times, with lows in the low 40s and highs only in the low 60s. It feels more like January in California then it does spring. Hopefully it will warm up before Spring Break. This is the first Spring Break in forever that I am not going to Florida with the family... being 32 weeks pregnant might have something to do with it... but I can always count on warm weather out there in Florida... This year we are going to be spending three days at the Hyatt in Anaheim (Brady's baseball team has a tournament down there). And then another two days down in San Diego (maybe hit up Sea World while we are down there). Let's warm up Southern California!

4. Went and saw Lincoln Lawyer... I HIGHLY recommend it! It was excellent. The movie just kept you guessing all the way through the whole thing!

5. Breslin... with 9 weeks left... has been a tae-bo, karate kicking, cartwheeling fool!!! He moves and a grooves all the time. And then of course, when he is still for a little while, I of course think, what's wrong? Is he okay? Why isn't he moving? But then he starts at it again. If he is this squirmy still inside me, I can only imagine what he is going to be like when he gets out of there!

Look at Baby Bres grow!

Wow! Over the last month, you can really see Baby Breslin has pooched out there! We have gone from barely anything, to people now stopping and asking me when I am due! It has been nearly 31 weeks... (It will be 31 weeks tomorrow) We have nine weeks left. I can not imagine getting any bigger!!! It is already a HUGE struggle putting socks and shoes on in the morning!!! I'd ask Brady for help... but he's already gone!!! Anyways, happy Thursday to you all! Have a great day!

a belly pic

Lauren this is for you.... Mitzi and me couldn't figure out our schedules this weekend to do a belly pic... so Brady and I took one just for you! Breslin kicks "hi." He has been moving and grooving lately. He is going to come out with some dance moves for sure...

Five for Fridays

1. As of Friday we are 3/4 of the way done through the pregnancy. We are 30 weeks down... 10 to go.... OMG.... are we ready?!?!

2. I had to call in for jury duty everyday this week... so everyday after school I spent about 45 minutes prepping for a sub "just in case" I got called in for jury duty... Luckily I didn't! But 45 minutes x 5 days... I wasted a good 3 hours and 45 minutes prepping for never needing a sub :(

3. Mom "Oma Ingrid" sent Baby Breslin a stroller/carseat in the mail. She read my blog a couple of weeks ago, when I had the dream about not having the carseat to take Breslin home in, and she needed to make sure that Breslin would have a way to get home from the hospital! Thanks mom! She also sent us these wonderful pillow covers for our couch pillows, they look AMAZING!

4. Well MSU made it to the NCAA tourney for the 14th year in a row... but as soon as we got in... we got bounced out by UCLA :( The boys gave it a good effort, coming back from a deficit of 23 points to lose by 2 in the last 4 seconds.... Well at least now, Spartan sports are over for the rest of the pregnancy... so Breslin will be excited to live his last ten weeks in the womb in a stress free environment!

5. West Ranch baseball had its first league game of the season... It was a high scoring game, but unfortunately West Ranch last 8-6 to Saugus :( I was able to make the whole game, and they looked good, just needed to finish it out. Let's get the next one!

Five for Fridays

Another week come and gone... it's amazing how time does go by....

1. MSU picked up a huge win against Purdue on Friday... hopefully it is enough to get us into the tournament!!!! It wouldn't be March Madness without MSU in the big dance!

2. Had another doctors appointment. Everything looks good! They did put me on some iron medication... (apparently I've needed to eat more vegetables).

3. Most of you heard the blood pressure story, but here it is again: My doctor's appointment was in the middle of the MSU versus Iowa first round Big Ten tournament game. MSU really needed to win to have any type of chance of getting into the NCAA tournament... needless to say, I was NOT happy that I was missing the game for a fifteen minute doctor's appointment. So, while I was waiting to be called in, Chayla was giving me live updates... it was a close game, but then all of a sudden MSU went down by seven with five turnovers in a row... the doctors then called me in... time to take your blood pressure :o I warned the OB nurse that my bp was going to be a little high, because I was feeling a bit stressed out... She took it, sure enough... 152/90!!!! I told her to give me a few minutes to calm down.... I checked my phone, about two minutes later, Chayla texts me... MSU is up by one!!! I call the nurse back... BP went down to 135/80 within those two minutes.... the nurse thought I was insane when I told her why I was stressed out!!!!! Let's be honest... any sane person would think that.... but those of you that know me, it makes complete sense! So needless to say, those darn Spartans really do a lot to me!!!! hahaha... I don't even really remember what the doctor's appointment was even about, it was such a blur... I was so concerned with the outcome of the game :/ So silly... I don't stress out about having the baby... but I do about MSU not making the tourney!!!

4. It's beginning to feel a lot like spring :)

5. Students took the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) this week... so while I was proctoring on Tuesday and Wednesday I was able to play catch up... Get all my grades caught up, look forward through the semester and plan things out...

PS.. I was a week ahead of schedule with my post last week... Breslin is now 29 weeks or -11 weeks old as of yesterday....

How time flies...

I sit here on Sunday morning thinking, approximately 11 weeks from now we will have a little baby boy changing our lives completely! I remember when we found out six months ago, that nine months seemed like FOREVER, and now that we near 3/4 of the way done I can not believe how the time has flown. However, when I look back at the past six months I thought that I would never be done being sick or being exhausted, but at around 4 1/2 months I felt some relief from the icky feeling... still felt exhausted, but at least no more neasous feeling all day every day.

Corey Burrill decided to say that Breslin was not 29 weeks old (because they doesn't make sense, when he comes out, he has to start back over at 0), but instead Breslin is -11 weeks old. At -11 weeks old Breslin is approximately 17 inches long and can weigh nearly 3 lbs (which doesn't compare to what I weigh now... maybe an additional 20 lbs here!!!!) In the next 11 weeks Breslin is going to double... maybe even triple his weight! He is approximately the size of a small butternut squash.

11 weeks left... are we going to be ready? I am not sure if anyone is ever completely ready. We have the room almost all done, we just need a few more items. We of course need all of the big items like, the car seat, the strollers, the bottles, the diapers... basically everything but the furniture! Thanks to the Michigan baby shower we crossed a few items off of our list, but there is still a ton to go.

I had a dream the other night (I've been having a few) where Breslin was born and it was time to leave the hospital, and we didn't have a car seat!!! They wouldn't let us leave! So Brady had to go out to the store to buy the car seat, then he came back to the hospital and we could finally leave! So I think the car seat will be the first thing we buy after the baby shower if we don't get it. I had another dream, where they gender misdiagnosed Breslin, and Breslin was actually a girl. I was so distraught about this (in my dream) because the signed basketball by Tom Izzo was written to Breslin... how was I going to get another signed basketball written to Breslyn, with a change in the lettering from i to y. So I had to check to see whether the baby was a boy or a girl... So I opened up my belly, pulled Breslin out, sure enough, he was a he... so then I put him back in.... Crazy ass dreams!

So we have 11 weeks left. Between now and then, there is the big ten basketball tournament next weekend. Then there is March Madness that takes us all the way through March (may not be as exciting as years past if MSU doesn't make the tourney). The tourney will lead us into April with that first week being Spring Break... and then... then we are getting close... Once we get past spring break there will be 6 weeks until Breslin comes and 6 weeks of school left! I am really hoping to be able to teach all the way up until school ends... but that might be pushing it. The last day of class is May 26, and Breslin is due May 27. The last doctor's appointment said that he is 3 days bigger than originally looked at... so we are looking at anywhere between May 24 and 27. One of my student's asked me, "what if your water breaks in class???" Well... then I guess it breaks in class.... that will definitely be more traumatizing for my students than for me!!!!

Five for Fridays

Well, this week was a long one... I mean after two 4 day work weeks, a 5 day work week seems very long...

1) It is getting more difficult to put my shoes on in the morning. The belly keeps getting in the way!

2) Tutored from 3:00 - 7:30 on Wednesday... Oh my goodness, I don't know how I did that all of first semester, I was EXHAUSTED!

3) Went to an inning of West Ranch's first real baseball game of the season. The boys started it off on the right foot with a Win!

4) We bought some furniture for the downstairs living room; a new chair, so there is more seating available, and a coffee table... I am torn on the coffee table. It looks great, but makes the living room look small.

5) Got a new work out buddy this week. I go to the gym now three times a week with Melody, and then twice a week on my own. It helps to keep my motivation up in this last trimester!

Five for Fridays (or Sunday?!?!)

1. Started off the week with a short week. We had Monday off for President's day. I spent the whole day scrapbooking. Weekend by weekend I am slowly catching up on my scrapbooking.
2. Had dinner with Bambi and the family. It is always nice seeing her.
3. One of my students got accepted to Michigan State University :)
4. MSU basketball is looking more and more like MSU basketball.
5. Breslin and I entered our 28th week and the beginning of the third trimester. We celebrated by doing the glucose test... it was not bad at all. I had no problems!

**And a bonus. My friend and former college teammate Anna had her baby girl on Friday night at 9:30. Welcome to the world Teagan Kathleen!** (I need pictures Anna)

Five bellies!!!

10 weeks....14/15 weeks....20 weeks...23 weeks...26 weeks

Five for Fridays

1. I put together Breslin's crib :)
2. Valentine's Day came and went... Brady did our taxes, so I didn't see him until like 9:00 at night, but me not doing taxes with him... so worth it....
3. Short work week!
4. Took a nice little one night trip to Huntington Beach.
5. Rainy Day here on Friday... doesn't happen to often!

Five for Fridays (or Sunday?!?!)

1. Flew back to Michigan one last time before the baby is born. Had a wonderful baby shower for Breslin.
2. Packers won the superbowl.
3. MSU lost again... this time to Wisconsin.
4. MSU finally got back on the winning streak on Thursday by beating Penn State handedly.. Draymond Green got a triple double!

5. Breslin is now 25 weeks in my belly!!! The beginning of the third trimester starts. Doctor says everything is looking good!

Michigan Baby Shower!

Yesterday we had a Michigan baby shower for Baby Breslin! It was a complete success thanks to Jill Kingdon and Roz Izenson and of course all of those who came to make this special for me. All of you will be very important in Breslin's life. The quilt that my mom made for Breslin.

Jill and Roz, the lovely hostesses of the Baby shower.

Future Aunt!

The fabulous and delicious cake!

I'm a little bit jealous of this baby in my uterus. He got a signed basketball by Tom Izzo before I did!

How does Breslin look in his new Spartan shirt?!?!

I got about ten books from Jill! Thanks for every single one of them to start off Breslin's library. What a cute idea. Every so often I would draw a name for a guest to win a prize. Everytime I drew a name, the guest got a prize and Breslin got a new book!

All of mom's teaching buddies that made it out to the shower.

Christina, Aunt Joyce, and Dawn waiting for the party to start!

Dana, the first gymnast to arrive!!!! So excited to have her here ;)

Cindy and Rachel made it out as well! I don't get to talk to Rachel very often, but everytime I do, it's like no time has past at all! Thanks so much to the both of you for making it out!

Terry and Leesa!!! They are always around representing the GR Burrills! Also thanks to Sandy for making it out all the way from GR! I truly appreciate the effort you guys make!

Look at Sparty and baby Sparty... how adorable!

Michigan State gymnasts representing! Me, Kathie, Lauren, Anna + 1, and Dana!!! I love them all so much. Thanks for making my day special!

Close up on the baby Sparty!

Mom, Christina, and me!

Preggers Anna, and Preggers me!

Thanks to all for such a great shower! Breslin has a lot of people that already care so much for him! He appreciates all of the gifts!!! Thank you!

Five for Fridays

Ooops... I know it is a little late due to my flight out to Michigan for the shower on Friday night, but better late then never.

1. MSU has reached a new all time low with Michigan State basketball. I watched alone as MSU was manhandled by the worst team in big ten basketball this year, Iowa. Fortunately, I was able to talk through my pain with Chayla constantly during the game. No matter how difficult it was to watch them... through the whole game... I will still watch and support my Spartans no matter what... no matter how hard and frustrating and devastating it gets.

2. Class average on my logarithm's test (the first test of the semester) ranged from 81% - 86%!!! Pretty darn awesome, considering that is the hardest test of the semester until we get to trig!

3. The floors are finally done!

4. Went to my second NBA game ever. This one was the Lakers and the Houston Rockets. It was much more exciting than the week before, the week before the Lakers beat the Utah Jazz by 30 or so. This Tuesday, the game was an overtime thriller and luckily the Lakers came out victorious.

5. Was able to eat lunch with Brady on Thursday. It was nice, since I am normally asleep by the time Brady gets home from tutoring, and I wake up just as he is leaving. I never see him during the week, so seeing him during the week was nice.

Part 2 or our "remodel" - CHECK

Baby Breslin's room!!!! What do you think of the colors? I think it looks better and better every day. I can't wait to get the furniture in here. It's gonna look at awesome.

The formal living room and dining room with the floors redone.

Staircase

Living Room. Still, by far my favorite room!

Well our "remodel" is done til the next time. It took a total of six days to get it all done. We started with the painter's last Tuesday, and then the flooring guys started on Thursday and worked through the weekend and finished on Monday. It was a pain in the rear being out of the house for that long on Saturday and Sunday, but in the end, I am so glad they kept working, because that meant that it got done two days quicker than originally anticipated. Our house looks brand new all over again. This really is our dream home and we can't wait to invite baby Breslin into it with us. We still have a few things left to do with the house... (the kitchen mainly, but that's a project for another year). Within the nine or so months that we have lived here, we got the landscaping redone completely, both front and back yard, and now we were able to get rid of all of that carpet that we detested from the get go. Can't wait for you guys to pop on by and see it!!!!

Belly....

23 weeks...

Five for Fridays

Well, as most of you know we have been doing some minor/major changes to our house.... because of this, our poor kitties have been locked up in a room every day for their safety (lets be honest... for the workers safety!!!!) But today the kitties got out, and oh how poor Thomas looked so scared... whereas Beau was all up in everybody's grill!!!!

So this leads me to number 1... the kitties have been displaced this week :(2. MSU is on a 3 game losing skid, and although I was tutoring during the Michigan / MSU game... my heart broke when Chayla broke the news to me.... Hopefully we can pull somewhat of a something together for the rest of the season.... I will always love you MSU, but you are making it hard for me right now... remember .. stress is not good for the baby!
3. Went to my first NBA game ever this week. Brady and I went with Jerry and Mitzi. The Lakers won by like 30 to the Utah Jazz! It was a fun experience, but definitely WAY different than a college bball game. College bball games will always trump NBA games. However, it was fun being able to watch a former Spartan out there do his stuff! I sported my Laker's Shannon Brown jersey, while Brady sported his MSU gear!!!!
4. Paint! We got five rooms painted this week, and they all look great! Our bedroom is the only room that needs to still grow on me. Pictured below is Breslin's room.
5. Flooring... and of course, we are getting our floors redone. Our upstairs bathroom gets tile, while basically everything else besides the kitchen and the bedrooms is getting laminate wood. I can't wait til it is done! It is going to look great!
So... theres my week... It was definitely a very eventful one this time!

Part 2 ... day 2

Well... onto the downstairs now.... they have started to rip the carpeting off the downstairs floor, while still working on the upstairs rooms.Here is the upstairs landing... it looks GREAT!

The landing laminate flows right into the guest bath upstairs. Yeah, no more carpet in bathroom number two!!!

As you can see, with Breslin's room we chose the lighter laminate... His room is really starting to take some shape.... remember, this was the room that had all the office stuff built in... thanks to Mike we got it all pulled out, then thanks to Phil and his painters we got the walls repatched up and painted with a sherail, and now thanks to Fred and his flooring guys we have nice new floors!!! Can't wait for this room to keep taking shape!

And here is the rest of the downstairs carpet being torn off... awaiting some new laminate wood coverings. We just found out that the workers are working through the weekend, to get this all done by Monday hopefully!!! Yeah for getting it done two days early... not so yeah for having to spend a relaxing weekend NOT in our home... Oh well, it will definitely be worth it when it gets done....

Part 2 of our "remodel" ~ Floors

Well we just started doing our floors.... This will be approximately a one week event. Today they spent most of the days tearing up the floors upstairs. They are going to do the whole downstairs except for the kitchen and the den with laminate wood, as well as the stairs, the landing upstairs and Baby Breslin's floors. They are also going to do our bathroom in tile (thank goodness, no more carpet in the bathrooms). Here are the starting pictures...The tile around our fireplace in our bedroom is going to be the same tile as the tile they are putting in our bathroom.

Yeah!!!! Tile!!!! No more carpet! I am now thinking we should have painted our bathroom walls in that clay brown color as well, with the tile floor the bathroom looks really light. But it looks so much cleaner with the tile floors.

The two toned carpet being pulled out of Baby Breslin's room. We are going to put a light colored laminate wood in his room and accent it with a nice big, fluffy sage green rug.

The landing getting prepped for the wood. All of the carpet is torn up!!!!! Thank goodness, it will be nice to have some wood up here, the cats have already done a number on our carpets!

The little bit that is left of the carpet on the stairs that lead to the landing upstairs.

Yuck... I can tell you what, our cats are not very happy about the lack of carpet in the house right now... they don't have their perma scratching post!

The laminate that we are putting in. They got a few steps done.

.... the crap that comes with remodeling....

The new tile in our bathroom! So excited to not have carpet there anymore!

Part 1 of our "remodel" ~ Walls

So, on Tuesday we had some painters come in to paint 5 rooms in our house. They painted our bedroom, Breslin's room, the Michigan State room, the living room, and the kitchen. We had the colors picked out for all the rooms pretty much when we moved in... every room except for Breslin's room. I think we ended up with pretty good colors in all rooms. Our bedroom is the only room I am unsure of... the brown wasn't exactly what I had hoped for, but I think once we throw some colors in there it will look good.Our bedroom... We went with a dark brown focus wall, and accented the other walls with a light brown clay color.

We did the Michigan State room in none other than a Michigan State green. Just the bottom half. We thought doing the whole wall would make it to dark. We left the top half in the same color that the whole wall used to be.

Another shot of the two toned walls in our bedroom.

Breslin's room... We were really torn on what colors to do his room. We chose a sage green and brown. We figured we wouldn't go over the top with MSU stuff in his room, however, we wanted to have a shade of green in there so we could accent his room with a few MSU items.

... and our favorite two rooms... the kitchen and the living room. We chose a bright turquoise, and to be honest, I was a little nervous about the color. It looked really good on the swatch, but I was afraid to see it on the walls, but we LOVE it! We like bold colors, and it looks really good against the white (and eventually when we redo the cabinets in dark wood it will make a really good contrast then).

We did the living room the same color. We just did one wall with the color, and it looks really good. Again, it just makes it "pop."