Week 36 - finally big

Here is a photo, I think I'm finally looking big! Also a photo of Matt and I awaiting our little one! I feel silly with all these tons of pictures of me, but a few far away people apparently like seeing the belly. Plus, no one is forcing you to look! I can't wait until the pictures are of the baby and not me, though! Wish us luck figuring out the car seat tomorrow!

Week 36

My long-time family friend Patty (with the help of other good friends) threw a shower in my hometown for family and Iowa friends. Everyone was so generous, including the out of town folks! I have a lot to be thankful for (and hopefully will finish the thank you cards soon). I will have to post another belly picture, I am looking bigger all of the sudden. Still feeling good, but the first day of school (with kids) was bad. It was so hot in school that day, I couldn't stand it (95 degrees or so inside). Luckily the rest of the fall has been cooler, so I have been feeling good!

We had our last meeting with our doula last night to go over our labor game plan. We will have our last Bradley (natural childbirth) class Tuesday! We are going to try to get the rest of the baby stuff organized and the bag packed today. I'm hoping I don't go early, but you never know. I'm guessing I go on Oct. 15, which is my dad's birthday, two days after my due date, and right after the full moon - but I could be wrong! If I'm right, I have proof right here.

33 Weeks

Hi! I am still doing well! I made it through my first day at school (teacher week). I had a little hip pain for awhile, but a little chiropractic help, and I'm doing great again. Back to my long walks.

Also, a couple of friends (Suzanne, Kristin, and Tara) threw me a shower on Sunday. I feel so loved!!!!!

28 Week Pictures of Baby

Again, in the second picture, she has her hand by her face. We think that's really cute. It still looks like a girl, so all the second hand clothes I've gotten are still ok! (We wanted to go with mainly green and yellow clothes, but that's a losing battle. We'll still make sure she plays with mud and reads comic books when she's older even if it's in pink clothes :)

The other ultrasound pictures came out better, but the main focus of this ultrasound was not photos. They were checking to make sure I no longer have placenta previa (I had a very slight case last time). Yea! Everything is normal now, and I don't have to have a c-section. This is very good because we are investing a lot of time in our natural childbirth preparation classes. The method is called the Bradley Method - which is also known as Husband Coached Childbirth. Luckily, we will also have a doula (professional assistant coach) to take some pressure off Matt to remember everything! Friends Kristin and Corrie also used this method and were happy with it. Lamaze is out of style, and the Bradley method doesn't involve any weird breathing, just normal deep breathing. Instead of learning how to distract yourself from childbirth, you learn to work with your body to get through it. We are optimistic, but we'll see!

28 Week Belly, July 24, 2008

My belly is now really popping! I'm still feeling pretty comfortable for the most part, but I walk a little bit slower. (I used to walk extra fast, though). I also usually have to sit down for a minute during the walk, due to those (normal) practice contractions. The kicks and punches are getting stronger, you can't ignore them at all!

The Room

I had some requests to see the baby room decor, so far. We've been very lucky. My mom and dad (Steve and Joyce) came up and painted the room, the furniture, and installed curtains. My dad also put in an electrical socket in the guest bathroom so you can dry your hair when you come to visit! They were very, very, very productive. I am very, very, very lucky. Happy birthday to me and happy anniversary to us!

You can see the fish we are going to put on the walls, and as the mobile. We still have to pick up the crib, order the rocker/glider and hang up the artwork. This is what we have so far, I will post a different photo when it is all done!

25 Week Belly, July 3 2008

At around 25 weeks, I finally had enough belly that it showed up for a picture! For the longest time, I just looked like I had a few extra cookies. I thought I would show earlier! At the end of the year, my coworkers would evaluate my tiny belly, and declare "niña" (girl) because it was such a low and wide belly. They ended up being correct, but I suspect this kind of belly may be due to my body type. I've been very lucky and feeling pretty well this whole time. We moved into our new house at the beginning of June, and we made sure to walk everyday. We walk to Lake Como, around the lake, and back almost everyday, just under 3 miles.