JAMSquared

Last Sunday, we went and saw Wicked, a Broadway Across America production at the Bass Concert Hall. It was really good. James enjoyed it too. Prior to the show, we went out to eat at BJ’s Restaurant, where Aric joined us (he didn’t go see the musical with us). It was a nice evening with friends.

Ranger and Clarisse

Kristy and Aric

Jennifer and James

Lori and Jennifer

James’ parents and nephew Dawson came into town last weekend. While James, his Dad, and Dawson went to see Aliens in the Attic Saturday afternoon, us girls went to my first baby shower. It was hosted by my friend and co-worker, Adriana, who had help from Gisel, Amitis, and Claudia to make it a rousing success. It was a lot of fun.  We enjoyed a lunch of soup, sandwiches and a variety of little snacks.

The first game was a trivia game. Gisel came up with 10 questions that everyone had to answer. My favorite was 1) Where was Baby JAM conceived? a) Midland, TX b) Bathroom of airplane (flying back from Tahiti) c) Kitchen or d) Bedroom. Patricia and my MIL tied for getting the most right with 7 correct answers.

Trivia Game

The second game was insanely entertaining and hilarious. It was like musical chairs, but instead of circling a group of chairs, you had to pass a cucumber between your knees. I ended up winning that one.

Adriana, Patricia, Debbie, Amitis and Gunalini

Kristina and Olivia

Jennifer and Adriana

The third game involved seeing how many clothespins you could pick up with one hand while naming a baby item for each clothespin. Patricia won with 13 clothespins in one hand.

Gisel and Adriana

After all the games, we had cake. It was a delicious carrot cake with apricot creme filling.

Carrot Cake

Jennifer Cutting Cake

Afterward, I opened gifts. Baby JAM is going to be one stylish little girl. She received a number of adorable little outfits.

Little Cherry Dress

Got Milk Shoes

3-in-1 Rocker

Thank you everyone for making me feel special. Special thanks to my hostessess with the mostess and Kristy for playing photographer.

I have my 32-week appointment this Thursday. Time is flying and we’re getting really excited.

Tonight we went to a Pediatrician Open House at the hospital. This was the second one we have gone to and have now met all 4 doctors in the office we are interested in using and have made a decision as to which pediatrician is the best fit for us. We also did the tour of the labor and delivery unit (very conveniently timed shortly after the open house). Seton Southwest has 6 labor and delivery rooms. It is pretty neat in that you will labor, deliver, recover and postpartum all in the same room. I think this will prove advantageous. I also really liked the nurse who gave the tour and wouldn’t mind having her as my nurse.

The baby’s room is coming along nicely. A month ago, James with some minor help from me put the crib together and this last weekend we (well James with the help of my brother-in-law Brian) finished moving the furniture necessary to get  the rest of the baby furniture basically in place. We still have a lot to do, but progress is occurring. Now to just make some Craigs List postings and unload some furniture we no longer need.

James Putting the Crib Together

James and the Finished Crib

Baby Furniture

I’ve started being a lot more tired and recently back ache has come into play. I’ve also been really hot, but James hasn’t minded when I’ve  wanted to turn down the air.  I still don’t feel huge, but that may be because as of my last doctor’s visit at 30 weeks I had only gained 13 pounds thus far. Even though I don’t feel huge, I no longer  am comfortable bending over to tie my shoes. It is nice that James is willing to tie my shoes, so I don’t have to bend over. Baby JAM is still pretty active.  She also has gotten the hiccups quite frequently as of late, three different times today. It is quite an odd sensation when her little hiccups are occurring.

Following are the next two installments in our bi-weekly photo shoots. I wish I would remember to do them earlier in the day to get better lighting. I should also find a better place to take these pictures than in front of the door. Then I wouldn’t have to keep removing the door knob from the photo.

Week 28

Week 30

My brother and his wife, Jason and Julia, recently welcomed their brand new baby girl into the world. Mary Aspen Dzubinski was born at 7:33 AM, Wednesday, August 5, 2009. She weighed 7 pounds 11 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. I got to see her that night after work and hold her the next night at the hospital. She is utterly adorable. She made James realize that he’s not quite ready for Baby JAM, but as Baby JAM is only 8 weeks away from arriving, he doesn’t have much time to mentally prepare himself.

Aspen and Jennifer

James and Aspen

My parents came into town Wednesday afternoon and then Sarah and her little family showed up Friday around dinner. My Mom and Dad cooked dinner for everyone both Friday and Saturday nights, which was really nice. I also got kinda spoiled since they made breakfast for James and I before we went to work on Thursday and Friday.  Below is a family photo with 3-day old Aspen.

Dzubinski Family Photo

Aspen and my Mom

The night before we left to visit my sister, I was washing some dishes in the kitchen sink and discovered there was some sort of leak in the cabinet under the sink. We did some experimenting and determined there was a hole in the garbage disposal unit. On the way back into town after our visit to the DFW Metroplex, we stopped at Home Depot and picked up a new garbage disposal unit. Tuesday night, James installed it. He took his time installing it, because he only wanted to install it once. I’m proud of my handy-man husband.

Old Garbage Disposal Unit

Look to the top right of the pipe opening and you will see the 1/4-inch hole (surrounded by a white film) that was somehow eaten in the unit.

James Tightening the Pipes Back in Place

James Watching for Leaks During Water Drain After Installation