Any Day Now...

The past few weeks have been very eventful and have just flown by.  After two amazing baby showers, we're feeling (very) ready for baby to arrive!

My beautiful sister-in-law, Amanda, & mom-in-law, Nancy, threw me a lovely baby shower for family and church family on March 24th.  Amanda 'took the cake' with her creativity...literally!

Pretty and practical...what more could a girl ask for?

The following weekend, my sister and mom threw a bee-autiful baby shower for our family and friends.  Everyone was buzzing about the adorable decor and treats--they were a sight to behold.

Both Josh and I were humbled by the outpouring of generosity by everyone!

Now that we've got all the gear and clothing needed for baby's first few months, we are more than ready for him to get here!  He is growing bigger and bigger by the day; the ultrasound today revealed that our boy is approximately 8 lbs, 10 oz (give or take 20 oz).  Whoa baby!  No wonder I'm feeling rather large (and in charge) these days.  Hopefully (very soon), I'll be posting pictures of baby (not belly).

Droppin' & Poppin'

Over the past week or two I've noticed my belly growing more and more.  (Read: I had to buy new maternity clothes!)  In the last couple of days, others have been pointing out my belly busting growth spurt; they tell me that I look like I've dropped or really popped out there.  Further proof is my belly button (which hasn't popped out, yet) that gets shallower by the day.


To prepare for the arrival of our little boy, we've been attending "baby classes".  They've been really helpful, if not a little fear inducing.  (I don't know if I've ever been as anxious as I was after the c-section class--yikes!)  Despite the fact that I know things will not go according to my plans, I have started putting together a "birth plan" at the encouragement of the hospital staff.  At the start of my pregnancy I thought the whole idea of a birth plan was ridiculous, but now that d-day is getting closer it doesn't seem so silly. :-)


Now that I'm in the third trimester, I'm starting to feel the "warm-up" contractions (Braxton-Hicks).  It's been a little unsettling for both Josh and I, but he is taking good care of me (and baby).  Although Josh thinks I've been nesting for the past 8 months, I think it's just getting started...I'm in the "zone" to get all the little projects done around the house.  It seems like there are not enough hours in the day!  Also, the March heatwave we're having has me feeling like the mothering inferno--I never would have thought we'd need to run the AC in March.  I'm so glad this baby is due in May--not July!  

Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle yeah

These days I have a new obsession...my belly.  There's nothing better than watching my belly do a little "wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle...yeah"!

It's just so fun to watch my belly move around with my little man's movements.  Last week at work, I was in a meeting and I noticed my badge and keys (kept on a lanyard around my neck since maternity pants have NO pockets!) start to jiggle.  I just can't help but giggle when I notice things like that.  Sometimes I see a little bump or thump and other times it looks like I have an alien in my belly trying to work it's way out.  It's totally crazy and I'm completely enthralled!

I don't imagine my little guy is acting like the guys in LMFAO, but I can't resist the thought that he is doing his best to do a little womb wiggling for Mommy.  :-)

The Nursery: A Labor of Love

Today has been a busy day of painting and finishing in the baby's room.  Once we found out that we're having a boy we began dreaming up the ideal nursery for our little guy.  I had been looking online for some ideas and this room got us both excited.  This cute nursery became our inspiration and we got to work.

First, we started looking for the perfect light blue paint color.  I think we brought home over 100 paint chips from the hardware store to compare to the beautiful dark blue in our sun room.  Watching us narrow down the contenders was like an extended episode of the bachelor.  Finally the rose went to a beautiful blue number called: "Ice Festival". 

With painting underway we started selecting furniture for the nursery.  We found an excellent crib and comfy chair (thanks to my dad & mom-in-law) to round out the space.  

After all of our work, I have to say it's looking really great and I couldn't be more thrilled with the results:

View of nursery from entrance

I can't wait to add all of the finishing touches, but it's already something beautiful for our baby boy.

Love the dresser--hurray for Ikea.

I love the colorful artwork made by Aunt Jilly.

Again, gotta love Ikea!

Oh yeah, we've got scrotum!

Last Wednesday we had the 20 week ultrasound appointment which was so excited for both Josh and I.  We got to see the images of our little baby.  At the appointment, the ultrasound tech asked if we wanted to know the gender and we both eagerly confirmed we HAD to know the gender.  As she glided the transducer across my belly she found the right spot and announced that we're having a boy.  Josh echoed, "We're having a boy!"  with such awe that it was beyond precious.  I will never forget it!  The moment, though, was short lived when the technician tickled us with her comment, "Oh yeah, we've got scrotom."  It was everything I could do not to double over in laughter--priceless!  Here's a photo of our little boy's head in profile:

Everything looked normal on the ultrasound and apparently our little guy is going to be a bruiser (well, maybe).  He's currently in the 90th percentile for growth.  Wow!  Is it bad that I'm hoping he's closer to the 50th percentile when it comes time for delivery?

At the doctor's exam, our boy's heartbeat was sure and strong.  We even got to hear (and feel) a big old kick.  His movements continue to get stronger and I'm feeling lots of little punches and kicks already.

Our Christmas celebrations were wonderful!  We got to spend time with our amazing (and sometimes long lost) family members.  (Baby even got quite a few presents--lucky little guy!)  At Christmas I was in fine form...absentminded as ever!  As my nephew opened his brand new dinosaur toy, I called it an elephant.  Oh dear, I better get it together or my kiddo is going to be very confused!

Here's hoping your Christmas holiday was wonderful and your New Year's celebrations are fantastic too!

You Belong to Me

Last night I felt the baby move--for sure this time!  I was listening to music with the baby and suddenly I felt it and there was no mistaking it!  What was really precious is that during the song "You Belong to Me" (from the movie Shrek) the baby was really active.  Yay!

Baby, It's Cold Outside (and it's cold season)

Winter has officially arrived in Minnesota with 4 inches of beautiful snow (much still picturesquely deposited on the trees) and some startling cold.  I'm so fortunate to be pregnant in the winter time...the little bun in my oven is keeping me pretty warm!

Unfortunately, the common cold hit me before the Minnesota chill did.  I've been battling an annoying cold for the past week (ick!).  Thanks to plenty of rest and vitamin C, it's finally starting to subside. 

Our last doctor's visit went very well.  My belly measurements are right on.  And Josh and I got to hear our little baby's heartbeat--strong and steady at 144 beats per minute.  In two weeks (and two days) we have the 20 week appointment and ultrasound.  I'm so excited to see how much baby has changed since the last ultrasound--plus this one will be in 3D--Yay!

The doctor said that soon I should start feeling the baby's little movements as 'flutters'.  I actually think I may have felt a couple, but I'm not totally sure.  I think if it happens more I'll be sure.  I keep doubting that it's the baby, but rather my digestion.  That's probably terrible of me, but I'm just not confident what a bell pepper sized baby moving inside me should feel like?!

Hoping to spur on movement, I've started playing music to my belly (also at this point the baby is beginning to hear things).  It's fun to know that we're listening to the same thing.  I do feel a little goofy sitting around with headphones on my tummy, but it's worth it!  I'm really excited to play Christmas tunes to baby!  I love the holidays--sharing Christmas music seems like the perfect way to pass that along (for now)!