4 weeks to go

Today is a very special day for a couple of reasons.

First, I gained another sister-in-law today! Andrew and Jenny got married this afternoon in Memphis, TN. Since I'm so far along in my pregnancy, I was unable to travel to the wedding. However, they broadcast it on the Internet, so I got to tune in and be part of the celebration. Jenny looked beautiful, and I am so happy for them. Congratulations, you two! Today is the start of an incredible journey -- words honestly can't explain!

Also, today marks the end of my 36th week of pregnancy. Baby girl is officially due 4 weeks from today. WOW! Getting excited, but still feel like there is a lot to do. Scott comes home this evening from Memphis, and I've got a couple of things for him to help me with in the nursery. It's almost done!

Scott scheduled a massage for me today for our anniversary. It was bliss. The masseuse said the muscles in my left side were tighter than the right, which makes sense. Baby girl has been predominantly lying on my left side. She is curled up in a U-shape. Her head is down, and she's laying on her left side with her back pressed against the side of my stomach. Her legs are curled under my ribs. When she stretches her legs, they either hit my ribs or push on the other side of my stomach. She has stopped doing somersaults and major turns in the past few days. She is getting bigger, so there is not very much room for her to move around in there. I got a little panicky about her decrease in movement, so I called my doctor and she assured me that change in movement is normal as babies get bigger. Just need to make sure I am feeling her kick/move about 10 times within 2 hours. She moves the most right after I eat!

Our 6 Year Anniversary

Today is our 6 year wedding anniversary! We celebrated yesterday evening by going out to dinner at our favorite French restaurant, Tatsu's. This is also the restaurant we ate at the night Scott asked me to marry him. Afterwards, we went to the Plaza for gelato. When we got married 6 years ago, the heat index was in the 100's - very different from the beautiful evening in the lower 70s we enjoyed last night! I'm so blessed to have a man who loves me so intensely. Happy anniversary, honey!

At Tatsu's

Scott with his new Garmin Forerunner

Belly shot

More belly pics

Scott took a couple pictures of me last Saturday after my baby shower. This is my swimsuit for the summer, and you can really see the size of my belly. It keeps growing every day! And of course, I have to post some cute pictures of Maddie.

Baby Shower - Family

Last Saturday, my mom and sister hosted a shower for baby girl. Most of our family that lives in town was able to attend, and I loved having all our family together to celebrate baby girl's arrival! The shower was really personalized. Most of the decorations were items and pictures from my childhood, they served my favorite foods and the games were trivia themed (I LOVE trivia). Mom and Karla, thank you again for a fantastic shower! I had such a great time!!

Mom, me, Karla. We had yummy food and pretty decorations!

My cousin, Kari, made this cute diaper cake for me.

One of the many personalized gifts I received. This is a t-shirt that says "I love my Aunt Karla and she loves me!"

This is the baby blanket my mom made for our baby girl. It's so soft & special!

The cake! It had a baby blanket made of fondant that said "Peekaboo", just like the invitations.

Karla and mom serving the cake!

Marilyn bought her a tutu and jeweled onsie... perfect for a future picture! One says "Miss August" and the other says "Miss September". We'll have to see which one gets returned to the store!

We got so many great gifts, like this stroller/car seat travel system.

Cousins Sara, Emiy, Sage & Hazel

My dad got baby girl several 'fish' themed toys and outfits, plus this bib that says "I love Pa Pa".

Baby Prep

I decided to go with the pink, gray & chocolate brown bedding set. It's so cute and has a contemporary design that I love, love, love. I've ordered the matching drapes and mobile, and I found some art prints to hang in the room. I'll post pictures of the room once it's all together. Last Friday, Scott and his dad painted the nursery pink. It looks awesome!! When they got done painting, I had to cover my mouth with a wet towel so I could see the end result without inhaling the fumes. :) The color totally transformed the room, and it looks so girly and perfect. I love it; thanks you guys!

Scott and I had another doctor's appointment yesterday. Everything looks good with baby girl. My doctor said she wasn't going to move my due date, and that I'm likely measuring small just due to us having a small baby. (Neither Scott nor I are setting any records in the height or weight department. Ha!) I still think my due date is off by a week because of the reasons I mentioned in a previous post, but I'm not going to debate the doctor. We'll just see when she comes! We've got another ultrasound scheduled for 38 weeks, just to ensure baby girl is growing on track. From now on, I'll be visiting Dr. Pearman on a weekly basis, which means that baby's girl's arrival is getting closer!

After our doctor's appointment, we had a tour of the maternity ward where I'll be delivering (St. Luke's East). The facility is top-notch and probably the most secure maternity ward I've seen. There's only one elevator that has access to the maternity wing, and you have to be buzzed up by the nursing staff for the elevator to even work. The maternity ward is not connected to the rest of the hospital, which means there isn't a bunch of traffic in the halls. The waiting room is exclusively for the maternity ward, and it's really large with lots of chairs, TVs, and food. The rooms are spacious & really nice (for a hospital). There are two flat screen TVs, rocking chair, couch that converts to a bed and jacuzzi tub. I will be able to labor, deliver and recover in the same room, which will be great. It was a bit surreal to see the bed and think that in a short time I will be having a baby there! I have never been a patient in a hospital, so this will be a new experience for me on many levels. I'm trying not to think too much about it. Thousands of women give birth everyday, right?!?!

Popped!

The fireworks weren't the only things popping this weekend. My belly button has official popped. Guess that means baby girl is close to being done! When we had our sonogram last week, she weighed about 3 pounds 9 ounces, and we could see her taking breaths in-utero. Pretty cool. Baby girl didn't seem to be too phased by all the fireworks this weekend. She would move from time to time, but no wild kicking... even during the loud ones. I was grateful! I think she's going to like the 4th of July, just like her momma.

Due Date Debate

On Monday, I had another monthly check-up with my doctor. By my calendar due date, I was supposed to be measuring about 32 weeks. When the doctor measured my belly, I was only measuring about 28 weeks. In my previous sonogram at 20 weeks, I was measuring about a week behind the calendar calculation of my due date. (Pretty sure this is due to the fact that my cycle is longer than the standard 28 days.) But the measurement this Monday was showing me 4 weeks behind - much further than 1 week. So the doctor wanted to do an ultrasound to ensure our baby girl was growing okay. Naturally, Scott & I were a bit panicked, nervous, worried, etc. We didn't want anything to be wrong with our baby girl's development. This afternoon Scott & I went in for the ultrasound. Everything looks completely normal and healthy, praise the Lord! Her measurements came out to be about 31 1/2 weeks, so I am still measuring about a week behind the calendar calculation of my due date (August 22). The technician told us the low measurement on Monday was likely due to a combination of me really being a week behind and that baby girl was lying side-ways in my belly instead of head down. We were both relieved, to say the least! My mom told me this was a good introduction to parenthood because sometimes the only thing you can do for your child is to pray for her. I pray for our baby girl everyday, but this experience was a true reminder that she is God's child and He is taking care of her!

I start seeing my doctor every two weeks now, so I'm wondering if she will change my official due date. In my mind, it's always been the end of August versus August 22. So if all goes on schedule, looks like baby girl will be making her debut at the tail end of August or around Labor Day weekend - how appropriate!

Baby Shower - Friends

Last Saturday, my friends Brooke and Alicia hosted a baby shower for me. They served an amazing brunch - complete with cinnamon rolls, quiche, salad, fruit, coffee and punch. It was such a great day - every detail was perfect! I feel incredibly grateful that so many friends gathered together to celebrate our baby girl. Thanks to everyone who was able to attend and make the day special for me!

The next day, my mom and sister helped me organize and put away all the baby gifts in the nursery. It makes this 'experience' feel so much more real to have her stuff in the nursery! I went into the bathroom to show Scott all her bath toys put away in the cabinet, and I got so choked up! It is such a strange, exciting and wonderful feeling to see baby stuff in our house!

Myself, Brooke & Alicia. Thank you SO MUCH for a great baby shower!

This is the cutest 'cake'. It is actually a bunch of cupcakes (I LOVE cupcakes) covered in icing.

My mom-in-law, Marilyn, and I

My sister, me and my mom. Karla made buttons for them to wear - "Proud Aunt" and "Nana". How fun!

Opening gifts - so many cute things!

Baby Shower at Hallmark

Last Thursday, my co-workers hosted a baby shower for Scott and I. Scott was a trooper and came in to the office for the shower. Thanks, sugar! I am lucky to work with so many fantastic and generous people. The shower had a 'jungle princess' theme, complete with pink, brown & green decorations. It was very cute! We got lots of great presents - books, sleepers, bath stuff, diapers, toys, bottles, etc. Here are a few pics from the shower.

These are my co-workers that organized the shower - Shannon, Tressa & Katie. Thanks girls!

One of the many great books we received. I am going to love reading to our little girl!

A bottle for mom and a bottle for baby! I can't wait to crack that wine open!!

Opening gifts...

Posing in front of the cake, punch & cute decorations

Belly Pics - 31 weeks

Today, Saturday, I am exactly 31 weeks. Here are some recent belly pics! Baby girl has really been moving around lately - especially after meals and when I'm laying down to go to sleep at night.

I couldn't resist buying this cutie hat and headband for her today, either. I think the hat will be great for some of her newborn pics!

Single Digits!

Do you remember what a big deal it was to turn 10 and be in the 'double digits'? I'm having a similar feeling this week. I am now into the single digits for the number of weeks remaining in my pregnancy - 9 weeks and 2 days! Instead of telling people how far along I am, I normally tell them how many weeks I have left to go. Pretty exciting.

Also, I haven't filled everyone in on the exciting day Scott and I had Saturday, June 6. We 'got' to attend an all day child birthing class! (Scott was especially excited - ha!) We debated about whether to take the class, but thought we should start our parenting responsibility out on the right foot and take the class. Most of the information covered was a review for me, but it was nice to get the facts about pain management during labor. I am fully embracing modern medicine and will be getting an epidural ASAP. :) Also enlightening was the postpartum information. No one likes to talk about the Depends-like diapers, ice packs, etc. that you need for a while after pregnancy. Good times! I think Scott's main takeaway from the day was that labor is usually more than a 2 - 3 hour process. Like most guys, Scott had only seen a 'Hollywood' labor on TV. He assumed when labor started, you immediately went to the hospital and that baby would be born a couple hours later. Seems funny to those of us who know labor can be a much longer experience from start to finish. However if you think about it, TV/movies usually only show the last stage of labor. Scott was quite a trooper and hung in there the entire day. In the last couple hours of the class, nearly all the guys in the room where staring off into space or fully engrossed in their blackberries. ADD had set-in, for sure.

Week 30

In the past week, my cravings have switched from fruit to cheese and ice cream. The change is likely because baby girl's bones are solidifying and growing stronger every day! (Well that, and it's summer which means ice cream season!) Scott & I have been to Custard's Last Stand twice this week. I am predicting an above average weight gain for me this month!

My belly continues to get bigger by the day. (My sister and Matt are coming in town this weekend, so I'm sure I'll have some pictures to post soon.) Baby girl is moving around quite a bit. Her movements have transitioned from kicks to jabs/pokes with her knees and elbows. She doesn't have as much room in there anymore! People still say I am carrying small, but I am starting to feel the weight lately. My center of gravity is definitely not what it used to be, which makes everyday tasks, like tying my shoes and getting into the car, challenging and quite humorous. When I was running the other day, I noticed the hills are starting to become a problem with my growing belly. Think I'm going to need to switch to the elliptical and water aerobics!

Our neighborhood is going through a mini-baby boom. At the pool this past weekend, there were four pregnant women, including myself. Between the four of us, we are carrying 7 babies! One woman and myself are pregnant with one, another lady is expecting twins in August, and another is carrying triplets due in August! In addition to these babies, our neighbors on either side of us are expecting this summer. So in our relatively small neighborhood, there are going to be 9 babies born this spring & summer! It's going to be crowded in the kiddie pool next summer. I'm thinking of bringing a chlorine tablet with me each time we go down to swim. Ha!

Nursery Furniture

Last Saturday, we got the nursery furniture assembled in our little one's room. I love it! My dad, mom, Scott & I all piled in my dad's black truck to load up all the furniture - crib, changing table, dresser, glider & ottoman. It was tight, but it all fit in the back of the truck! (I am thinking about how many life stages that truck has moved me in & out of... I piled up my loft bed, small fridge and clothing to start my freshman year of college. Then, Scott and I used it to move into our first place together and a few years later, to move into our current home. Now we've used it to move our baby girl's furniture. Wow - such a sentimental moment, all over that big black truck!)

Dad and Scott did a great job wrestling the heavy furniture up the stairs to her nursery. Mom and I attached the knobs to the dresser and figured out where to put everything in the room. The room is great for a nursery because it has two dormers, where you can be kind of tucked away. We put the glider in one dormer and the crib in the other. The dormers really create a lot of space within the room and make the room look so cute. These little nooks will be great play space whenever she gets a bit older, too.
So now I'm waiting for the bedding to be delivered, and we'll pick paint colors for the wall. Scott thinks the walls look fine in their current beige color, but I am not convinced. :)

Room all cleared out & ready to move in!

Putting the knobs on the changing table

Putting together the glider - it was hot in that room!

Putting together the crib.  My inner boss just had to take control and read the instructions to dad & Scott.  Ha!

Crib set-up continues...

I love this picture of my mom!  (Cute of Maddie, too.)

Finished!

A pic of us, the belly & the crib (complete with cute stuffed animals... ha)

Our first 'baby' had to try out the crib.  She was curious about all the action happening in this room!

28 weeks

Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend! We enjoyed a couple of BBQ's and good times with friends & family.

Baby girl has been kicking me even harder this past week. She's been particularly active in the morning right when I wake up. I used to think she wasn't going to be a morning bird (okay, I was hoping....), but those hopes have been dashed by her persistent, early movement of late. This week, she will hit 2.5 pounds and 16" in length.... growing like a weed! :)

I ordered her bedding this weekend. Take a look! First, I ordered this pink & brown set.


And the next night I saw this pink and grey set and started having buyer's remorse about the bedding set above. So in-line with my indecisive prego personality (ask Scott - it's been quite the personality change for me), I decided to order this one, too, and make the decision about which one to keep when I can see them both in the room!


As far as names go, I think we've got it narrowed down to our top 4 picks. We'll probably try to get down to 2 or 3 names before she arrives and then pick the one that fits her once she's born. Pretty excited!

I'm still feeling good. I'm starting to get more tired again, which I was told is just part of the third trimester. I'm still exercising, but the intensity and frequency are starting to slow. It's been so great to have beautiful weather in the morning & evening to take a run or walk. Love this time of year! I'm savoring it because I know we'll be consistently in the 80s and 90s in a couple weeks!

Baby Preparations

Today my friends Brooke & Alicia graciously volunteered to help me register for most of the items we'll need for baby girl. It was AWESOME to have their help. We got through the entire store in about 2 hours. If I were to register without their help, it would have easily taken 5+ hours! So word to the wise, take someone with you that's had a baby when you register! Thanks girls!

While I was gone, Scott surprised me and started clearing out the bedroom that will soon transform into a nursery. We had a lot of random stuff in that bedroom, so there is quite a bit to move. Scott got most of the major stuff out of there, and it looks so big & open now. I am excited to get the room painted (another Scott project - thanks honey!) before her furniture comes in a few weeks. It's all coming together! Can't believe she'll be here soon.

I'm still feeling good. My emotions are a bit of a roller coaster at times, but I guess that's to be expected. Today marks the end of my 26th week, so baby girl is about 2 pounds and 14 inches long. She's growing fast these days! Her hearing is fully developed by now, so she can hear our voices and Maddie's barks! In the next month, she'll start filling out & putting on more body fat. Thanks to everyone for your prayers & support. This has been such a fun journey to share with you all!

Week 26

As of today, I am 25 weeks and 3 days. I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going. (I know I've said that many times, but it really is the truth!) I am still feeling great. I've been keeping up with my running... can still run 2 to 3 miles a few times per week, which feels awesome! My fruit craving has continued. Scott is amazed at the amount of fruit I eat in a week. A typical week of fruit groceries for me is a huge carton of strawberries, 7 apples, 7 oranges, a full bag of red grapes (used to be green grapes, but my craving switched around week 18) and a couple mangos or pineapple. I can't get enough fruit! Other than fruit, I crave sweets like ice cream and cake. I had an enormous sweet tooth pre-pregnancy, so the baby just gives me a convenient reason to indulge more often! Hey, the baby needs cake, too! :)

I had a great Mother's Day this year! Scott and I got to celebrate with both our moms. They are such great women, and I am excited to share in motherhood with them! My mom brought me home from the hospital on Mother's Day the year I was born. For Mother's Day this year, my mom gave me the dress she brought me home in. I plan on bringing our precious baby girl home in the same dress!

Scott also gave me a Mother's Day gift. He went shopping for our baby girl - bought her the cutest Polo sundress (yellow, since Scott thinks she has too much pink already), Puma onesies and sleepers (to match daddy's Puma gear), and a frilly dress for when she's a little older. Fun!

We both were a little teary-eyed in this pic!

Belly pics - 24 weeks

Here are some new pics of my belly progress. I'm right at 24 weeks in these photos. My belly has grown a lot in the last few weeks. In fact, the baby will double her weight in about 4 weeks. She'll go from 1 pound in week 22 to 2 pounds by the end of week 26.


Can't see much of a belly from a front view...


You can from the side view, though!


Some shirts, like this one, really emphasize the belly!

Doctor's Visit & Other Updates

Scott & I went for our monthly check-up this morning (23 weeks & 5 days today), and all is well with our baby girl! Her heartbeat sounded stronger than ever. Our doctor said it looks like we have one healthy baby girl on our hands! (Well, technically, in my belly...)

I've been feeling really excellent these past few weeks. I have lots of energy, no sickness, and I still feel good enough to run & work out. I'm so grateful this has been a smooth pregnancy, thus far. I'm praying the last trimester will go just as well!

This past weekend, we bought all her nursery furniture. It was a bit of an exhausting, yet exciting, experience. We decided to go for a chocolate brown/espresso finish. I think it'll look great with some pink bedding! Scott and I started the search a couple of weeks ago, and then my parents came with us last weekend to check out a few other stores. Scott & Dad liked testing out the rocking chairs best - ha! Buying the furniture makes it seem so much closer to her actually being here! Scott and I are SO excited for her to be here... I wish we didn't have to wait until the end of summer! But we're trying to live in the moment and enjoy these last few months of uninterrupted couple time.

A few days ago, my mom & I went shopping for maternity clothes. I've been able to borrow some from a couple people, so I don't need a lot. However, I would like to have some of the basics like capris, a couple dresses, shirts & work pants. So I picked out like 20 things to try on and stepped into the dressing room with my mom where I was greeted by.... the belly pillow!! For those of you who've had children, you know what this is. For those of you who haven't, it is essentially this pillow with a strap that you velcro around your waist to simulate how big your belly will be towards the end of your pregnancy. I put it on, and I was immediately in denial that my belly will ever be that big!! Seriously, I had to take it off because I was getting a complex. My mom thought it was hilarious! (But really, my belly won't get that big, right?!) I found a couple of "cute" things to buy (are any maternity clothes really cute or fun to buy?) ... so for those of you who need summer maternity clothes in the future, give me a call.

Easter

Below is a picture from Easter weekend. I am about 21 weeks in this photo. My belly really shows in this sweater dress! I seem to be carrying this baby high, which is likely the reason why I am still able to wear most of my regular pants with only the help of a hairband. Yeah!

1 Pound!

Our baby girl is breaking a development milestone this week - she weighs one pound! She is about 8 inches long from her head to her bottom, so she's like a little doll right now. How cute is that?
Her grip is quite developed, too. Since there's nothing else to grab in utero, she may sometimes hold on tight to the umbilical cord. (Don't worry — it's tough enough to handle it.)
She is also sprouting more hair on top of her little head. Right now her hair has no pigment, so it's bright white. Scott & I both had light brown hair the first year of our lives, but then we both turned to white-blonde toeheads. So I expect that's what our baby girl's hair will do, but you never know!