33 Week Update

Here is an updated picture of my belly. I feel like I'm getting bigger and bigger every day! Thought you guys might like to see how I'm looking! :)

This past week has been a little more draining than the ones before. We had a pretty busy weekend and as a result, I've been catching up on sleep this week. I'm starting to feel better but am definitely in need of some kind of daily nap!

The baby is kicking ALL the time now and is especially enjoying kicking my ribs. It's like there is an alien living inside my stomach sometimes with how she moves around! Other than that, not much has changed.

Nelson is working very diligently on the "rental house" and getting a lot accomplished! We're definitely making progress and looking forward to the day when it will be finished. I'll try to take some pictures and upload them for ya'll to see.

Well, that's about it for now. Until next week . . .

32 Week Check-up

As some of you know, we have had a change in plans for our nursery bedding. My Aunt Faith and Mom are going to be making the quilt and bumper. The bedding I originally chose was never sent and I like the new bedding much better! Plus, it means a lot more to us having it made by family! :) Here are some fabric swatches:

Everything went well today at the check-up. The baby is growing (around 5 lbs now) and kicking all the time! We definitely aren't having a ballerina but more like a soccer player -- there is nothing gentle about her! :)

I am feeling fine but am getting excited about being close to the end! I'm starting to retain more fluids and swelling is more of an issue. But so far, nothing to be concerned about! My next appointment is in 3 weeks and I'm looking forward to not going to the clinic every week! :) We have our infant/child cpr class this weekend and we are looking forward to having a refresher course!

I'll keep giving you weekly updates on my condition, even though I won't be having any appointments. So, until next week . . .

A Perfect Day

Ever have one of those days where everything seems to go right and you look back on it and think it was a wonderfully, perfect day? Well, I had one of those yesterday.

Yesterday morning I met my friend and mentor, Rochelle, for breakfast and we talked for a long time about pregnancies and babies. It was nice to hear what she went through as a mother and some of the fears she had -- some of which have been going through my mind recently. She put my mind at ease and it was a really nice time! I cherish her friendship and appreciate everything her and her husband have done for us over the years! :)

I then went home to find out that Nelson was taking a 1/2 day of vacation to just spend time with me. It was a wonderful surprise and much needed! :) We sat around and talked for a while and then went to a matinee movie. After that, we had almost an hour to kill before heading up to Akron for Bible Study, so we stopped by Borders (our favorite place to hang out) and looked at a bunch of books and cds. It was a very relaxing and needed time together! :)

We finally got up to Akron for Bible Study around 6:30 to find all of our friends there -- throwing us a surprise baby shower! These friends have been like family to us over the years and it was so meaningful for them to do this for us. Kasey even made our favorite Carrabbas Restaurant dish -- Chicken Bryan!

The day couldn't have been any better! Thank you to everyone who made it so perfect! :) We love you all!

31 Week Check-Up and Last Child Birth Class

Here are a few pictures of my grandma, my mom & dad, and me. It was fun to have them here last week and we had a really good time! We went to the President McKinnley Library, on a tour of the Harry London's Chocolate Factory, and played a few games of Phase 10 & Hand and Foot. It was a good time! :)

I had my 31 Week Check-up yesterday. Everything is going well and I'm feeling ok, with the exception of some increased swelling in my hands and feet. Judy has me coming in next week again just to make sure my swelling doesn't get worse, but everything is going great! :)

We had our last Child Birth Class last night -- that went fast!!! We toured the hospital and labor/delivery ward. It was fun to see where we'll be in two months and to get an idea of what things look like. The class overall was very informative but we were glad it was done in four weeks -- definitely too many videos! But it did give us a good idea of what's going to happen considering we felt completely ignorant beforehand. :)

That's about it for now. Until next week . . .

30 Week Check-up

That's right -- I'm already 30 weeks! Seems like yesterday we just found out we were pregnant and had nine months to go. Now it's more like nine weeks! How time flies!! :)

The check-up yesterday went well. They did some more bloodwork just to make sure my cholesterol is ok and to confirm everything is fine. And of course, they did the other ultrasound! The baby is now 3 lbs 9 ozs and the lab tech said that she has long legs for her age -- is that a surprise knowing who her mom is??! :) Everything looks to be working fine and she is using her lungs, stomach and kidneys -- all good signs!

My parents and grandmother are here this week and were able to come to the ultrasound with us. It was fun to hear their reactions and to share that moment with them! Less than two more months and we'll all be able to see her AND hold her -- we can't wait!

My next appointment is next Monday and I'll keep you posted on anything that happens.

Until then . . .