Baby Shower @ 37 Weeks

Well, last week we hit a major milestone... 37 weeks.  Our little man is now considered full term, and if he comes now, it won't be considered preterm labor. :)

I guess this is what would be considered the "home stretch!"  It just feels so weird at this point to think it could be any day now... or... it could still be many weeks!

This week I was also blessed to have a wonderful baby shower.  My dear friends Kim, Kylene and Lisa worked together to put on a wonderful baby shower!

It was so wonderful to be able to gather with many friends and family members and celebrate our little guy... and they really blessed us with some great things, too! :)



An elephant bank for the elephant nursery.  Thanks, Bethany!



Gotta love the doggie outfit, thanks Sheila!

An elephant toy for our boy.  Thanks, Kylene!

Baby's first tuxedo?  :)  Thanks, Mom!

A fun and easy to grab ball.  Thanks, Melissa!

Lil' VT onsies!  Thanks, Aunt Judy!

Diaper Genie!  Woo!  Thanks, Rachel and Sarah! 

There were some other great things that didn't make it into a picture including lots of diapers and wipes, tons of baby toiletries, a baby bathrobe, cute outfits (including an "I'm a Great Catch" VT onsie), some sweet books (including 3 Baby's First Bibles!) and a really precious photo frame (which made me blubber and cry quite a bit). 

With one of the wonderful hostesses, Kylene. 

The wonderful and delicious cake made by Lisa!
Notice the baseball for Todd! :)

Me, my cake, and my big old baby belly!

All in all it was a fabulous Sunday afternoon!  I just can't believe how wonderful it was and how everyone really "showered" me with wonderful conversation, wishes for the baby and gifts galore!  I (and Todd and this baby) are truly blessed to have amazing families and amazing friends and coworkers! 

Just a few other notes from this week: 

Todd's parents got us a car seat/stroller combo which Todd has put together, fully read the manuals for, and gotten the base in the car... yes, we are now driving around with a car seat base in the backseat! :)

I had an appointment with my midwife today and I'm about half a centimeter dilated... so not much at all, but more than last time! :)

My sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew came to visit for Saturday night and Frosty was AMAZING.  She didn't get aggressive or mean with the kids... in fact, when she wasn't completely ignoring them she was bathing them with kisses! :) 

I learned at my baby shower that many people are wishing that our little man loves karaoke, grows tall (maybe even taller than Todd) and my personal favorite, respects board games! :) 

Halloween costume pictures to come soon! :)  Have a great rest of the week and weekend!

33 Week Update and Surprise Baby Shower...

Well, here we are...  33 weeks into my pregnancy...  Hitting the home stretch... 

Things are going well, but everyday I feel like I am growing more gigantic, more exhausted, more sore... and yet, I'm not hating it!  I really am enjoying the pregnancy experience.  I love feeling my little guy move and roll (and have the hiccups), though today they started getting a little painful. 

Though I have little to complain about, my biggest complaint is the fact that my belly is SOOOO itchy recently!  I am having to constantly slather lotion on it, and luckily that is helping keep it at bay.  But sometimes, it is nearly unbearable. 

Here is the picture from this morning.  Maybe I should not take the pictures in the morning because I feel like this doesn't look so good.  Oh well... it is what it is. 



Well the last two weeks have been busy, busy, busy!  Two weeks ago we started back up with our small group at church as well as starting childbirth classes.  So far, both have been very good!  In our small group, we're reading a book by Joseph Prince, and it looks like it's going to be excellent.  Childbirth class has been... informative, I suppose.  We're learning a lot about what the actual labor and delivery will be like.  And while it is kinda scaring me, I do feel that it's good to have a clue!  Last week we did a "game" where we had to roll dice to figure out how long we would be in early labor, active labor, and pushing...  I had a total of 29 hours in the end!!  WHOA.  Todd's reaction was... "well, there goes my birthing plan..."  You know, in his perfect brain the birth of our child is more like 2 hours long and MOST DEFINITELY not on a football Saturday or Sunday.  Can't miss a Hokies or Redskins game! :)

The highlight of our last two weeks was for sure our trip to Maryland for Jeff's (Todd's brother) birthday party.  Turns out, it was NOT a birthday party but instead a SURPRISE BABY SHOWER!!  And by surprise, I don't mean a little surprised... I mean TOTALLY surprised!   I had NO idea.  In fact, even as "surprise" was being shouted out at me, I still didn't quite comprehend that it was for me! 

Todd's mom and sister put on a beautiful shower for me full of games, gifts, great company, and GREAT food!  Many of the spouses of the ladies at the shower came and hung out/watched football with Todd and his dad and brother.  Then, when the shower was over we had a big cookout with even more great food!  (Can you tell I'm hungry a lot and am really enjoying food these days??)  We had such a great time getting to talk to family and friends! 



Just one of the delicious food items... a cupcake cake!

It was truly a great time!  Thank you to Shelly and Hannah for such a special day!  :)