I love free internet... sometimes.

If you were in a doctor's office and a baby decided to start crying, I'm talking full-out screeching, how long would you let this persist?

And the baby is not a baby baby. Baby can say, "I want Momma."

I think we're going on 10 minutes and this girl hasn't done anything but let the kid cry.

Oh, wait.. it stopped.

Nevermind, I spoke too soon.

........

Anyway. We're looking at 4-6 weeks until Hartley arrives. That means I really only have 1 week to get the travel system and make sure Marshall assembles it correctly and installs the car seat properly. Maybe we should have thought about this earlier.

We had a wonderful Christmas! We spent Christmas Eve day with Marshall's family. I got an amazing Willow Tree nativity set (not including creche and pretty accessories), nursing gown (super cool), hooter hider, burp cloth w/ matching "Hartley" bib and pacifier attachment, and Baby Wise book.

Oh and that baby stopped crying..

Then we spent Christmas Eve night with my mom's side. Christmas Day evening with my dad's side. And 2 days after Christmas with Marshall's grandmother. We had a busy week/weekend of traveling. I'm ready for this to be over with!

We got plantation blinds from my mom to complete our house! Finally.. it only took half a year but we have nice blinds, that actually fit the windows, throughout our house. We also got another bib!

There's a great baby consignment store in Columbus that I try to visit when in town. Fortunately for me, we found a great deal on a high chair. It's used, fold-able, and matches our kitchen! Matching my current decor was top priority. And it was only $33. Needless to say, I was elated.

I took down our beautiful Christmas decorations and put up the pack-n-play in the living room. I know, it's really soon.. but I want to make sure it's in a good location. I may change my mind in a few days..

If you couldn't tell from the opening sentences, I'm waiting at the doctor's office. It's a schedule appointment.. but I do have some concerns. I had some annoying cramps and back pain over the weekend. And Monday morning I had blood-tinged urine. So. We're on another round of Macrobid for a UTI.. and I assume that the cramping could be Braxton-Hicks. Still not sure about those. In preparation for a pelvic exam, I desperately tried to clean up downstairs.. but I couldn't see over my belly..

And I'm officially 136lbs.

There's really so much going on but I don't want to have an incredibly long and boring post. So maybe I'll get better about posting more often. Umm.. sure.

we're in the short rows!

I feel like we have graduated into the final stage of pregnancy.

I've noticed that I'm no longer asked, "How far along are you?"

It's now.. "How much longer do you have?"

This is a good thing. We've got a good month/month in a half to go. When do you think Miss Hartley Caroline will make her appearance?

Her due date is February 5th.

Other facts:

• Marshall and I were both born early. (I think Marshall was.. I know he came quickly)
  
• We were both 7-8lb babies.
• Marshall had a head full of black hair.
• I was bald until the age of two.
• Marshall was about two feet long when he popped out.
• We were both really good babies... (Marshall- make any corrections as needed)
  

Please make some predictions! And the winner will be the first to hold her, when they come to visit.

what happened to 2009?

Due to foreseen obligations, the Moore Family apologizes for the blogging hiatus. But now I'm back, to let you know, I can really shake 'em down... da-da-da-da-da.. Do you love me? (Do you love me?) Do you love me? Noowww... that IIIII can daaa-aaaaa-aaaaaa-aaaance! Watch me now!

And I hope that song, if you know it, gets stuck in your head.

I think it's been at least 2 weeks since our last update. Sowwy.

What's new in Brooklet??


We had TWO showers last week, in addition to the flooding.. and more rain today. The bank threw one and my friends, Morgan and Krysten, had one in Columbus. Prior to them, I was getting concerned about Hartley! Marshall and I started taking birthing classes around that time and I think I became obsessed with the idea that Hartley was going to arrive any day. And she wouldn't have any socks or blankets. And the thought that she would freeze consumed my mind.

But now she's got plenty of socks, receiving blankets, diapers, wipes, onesies, sleeper gowns, and pacifiers. I mean plenty. And not to mention cute outfits and hooded towels. :)


We got back from Columbus Sunday night, and as I was putting away her new belongings, I realized that our little girl is really spoiled. But then I changed my mind.. she's just really loved!

So the past two weeks have been filled with working the "awful hours".. having to close the bank at 7pm, taking birthing and breastfeeding classes (after working til 7), having two showers in a span of 3 days, and simply being 7 months pregnant.

But thankfully my baby's Daddy is wonderful. I know at one point this past week I was going to dedicate a post to him. But pregnesia is back in full swing and I don't remember everything I was going to say. But, we'll try.


It began with the birthing classes. At first I didn't expect him to go with me, but after talking with coworkers, I would have been the only one without a husband. So I dragged him with me. And he sat for a total of 8 hours. And he saw lots of boobies and a head coming out of a vagina. And we giggled at the big titties together. And grimaced at ugly baby skin together. And we bonded, I think..

And we went home and Marshall wanted to practice breastfeeding positions..

(Hartley has the hiccups right now)

Then my Daddy-to-be went to Columbus for the shower and hung out with my step-dad while I opened tons of gifts with giddy girls. He also played with snotty-nosed Emma Leigh and put together her Christmas gift (a kitchen.. we are never getting an assembly required kitchen). And he unloaded a huge trailer when we got home and set up Hartley's furniture late Sunday night.


This post is getting really long. So I'll stop and try to clean up the house.. ugh!

Old Men

I really like old people. Sometimes. But for the most part, I like them.

There's a local magazine that will have different features each month. The most recent feature recognized veterans for.. Veteran's Day. So there were like 7 or 8 old men recognized for their services. I can't recall what wars they fought in.. the only thing that sparked an interest was that they all had nicknames.

For instance, Mr. Smith's (??) real name could have been John Robert Smith, Jr. But everybody called him "Cricket." Or Tadpole, et cetera. My dad's nickname is Boogie, by the way. And my uncle, he's Hambone.

That generation/era is so different from today. The only nicknames you hear now are for rappers. Or babies.. that will hopefully be outgrown.

We make fun of my dad because he calls Marshall "killah" (he's trying to say "killer" but he's a lazy Southerner). And Marshall's dad calls him "buddy."

But what can I call Marshall?? I like the idea of having a cute nickname for my old man. Any suggestions?

He'd probably want some nature-sounding, Indiana Jones-esque name. He's lame like that.

SUYL: Pets

My life revolves around my two wonderfully nutty dogters, Maddie and Sassy. Below is the most recent picture of the three of us. Maddie (in black) is amazingly photogenic; Sassy (in white, blending in with the cotton) is very quirky.

My husband and I adopted Maddie shortly after we got married. We had discussed getting a dog for a while; and though I was convinced we were going to get a purebred German Shepherd, plans continuously fell through and we decided to adopt from a rescue.

We settled for a shepherd mix. Maddie wasn't the little shepherd puppy I wanted.. but she had a "little shepherd" in her. Close enough.

Maddie Girl instantly bonded with me and we became fast friends. Unfortunately, when we made the big switch from city life to country living Maddie changed from a Momma's girl to man's best friend. She loves exploring with her Daddy and helping him around the house now.

She's definitely a lab at heart. She loves the water and has spent countless hours swimming and retrieving.

Maddie Girl is also a clown and camera hog.

After we had Maddie for a few months, and the husband wasn't ready to have kids, I was seeking a playmate for Maddie. She's a high energy dog and we wanted someone to help entertain her. And since we never got a puppy (Maddie was at least 2 years old when we got her), I was wanting one this time around.

But do I ever get what I want?? Nope. Instead, we got Sassy- an 11 month old mutt.


At least we have the previous picture to imagine how cute she must have been as a puppy.

But this is what we have now. The LAZIEST dog ever! The most relaxed dog. Content being curled up in a ball all day, especially if she's on the bed, couch, my lap, etc.

She's also the craziest dog. We weren't expecting her quirkiness when we first adopted her.. but it's been enjoyable along the way.

We call Sassy Bean our "special child." And we mean it. She has a slightly lazy eye. She eats paint (there's some on her paw, back, and neck as we type), pens, panties, etc. She chases butterflies until she gets lost. Her favorite toys are bugs, live ones. And her favorite place to be is on top of/next to her Momma. We also usually fight over the wing back chair in the living room.

My husband and I have some amazing dogs and soon we'll be adding to our family. This time it's a real child and we're excited/nervous as to how the girls will respond to our new baby. We know Maddie will be protective about the baby and let us know that we need to make her stop crying. And Sassy.. well.. I'm not sure how she will respond. She'll probably find a quiet room in the house and take a nap.

I hope you've enjoyed reading about my wonderful dogters. There are so many posts dedicated to them, including stories of how they caught a mouse, how we came to the conclusion that Sassy is really special, and how Maddie learned the hard way about jumping out of trucks.

for laughs..

Because Mollyanne requested some new belly pics.. and we're 28 weeks today.. and I have nothing else to do..

I managed to squeeze into my Field Day shirt from second grade. My kindergarten shirt wasn't as cute.. and yes I still have elementary class shirts.

I think my little bump is cute. Pretty compact for 6 months, too.

Now, Mollyanne, show us what post-pregnancy bellies look like!

Hartley Mo

Dear Hartley,

We don't expect to see you for another 2-3 months, but we want you to know how incredibly spoiled you are already. We also want to inform that you were really boring during the ultrasound yesterday. Sure, you're really cute.. but couldn't you have entertained us with some jumping or patty-cake?

You covered your face 98% of the time. And I'm not exaggerating. I can already tell you have your Daddy's lips. I just hope you don't have my dirty mouth.

I'm not really sure about that nose. It looks kinda crooked. Again, that could be your Daddy's nose.

And those cheeks.. yup. Your Dad.

Of course, I find Marshall to be the most handsome man.. except when he doesn't listen to me or he coughs up a loogie.. so I'm glad that you're showing characteristics of him. He has a hard time seeing resemblances between him and your cousins Anna and Caleb, but I think the three of them look very much alike. And Anna is the cutest Moore Baby... so far. And Caleb has your Daddy's joker grin.

So, be thankful you look like your Daddy and don't have your Momma's genes.

I hope you get my personality and creativity though. Your Daddy is much more reserved than me. He won't dance and sing with you. He'll also be the "strict" one. Who cares about rules?! I think this scares your Daddy, too..

We really hope you enjoy your nursery. Daddy has worked really hard doing what Momma says. He's also gotten very frustrated in the process.

*Now that I look at the above picture, I notice Hartley was trying to get in the picture. My belly is poking out at the bottom. And yes.. it's usually crooked like that from an unknown body part emerging. FYI. *

So, Sweet Hartley.. continue practicing your breathing (we did see that in the ultrasound), try to sleep during the night and stay awake during the day, and don't make me gain any more weight. See you in a few months!

_________________________________________________

Some data from the doctor's visit that Hartley could care less about..

I'm officially 130lbs. We've gained 22lbs so far. Only 2.5lbs are actually Hartley.

I was at the office for a total of 3.25 hours. One of those hours was in a room, waiting for the doctor, and I got a good nap in.

I should try Tums or Pepcid Complete for my new symptom, Heartburn.

And, we weren't charged for the ultrasound because we didn't get to see much!