1 Week!

1 week 'til this baby's due date! I have been having some wicked back cramps lately - holy moley! I guess it's just a little sign of what's to come. They last 2-3 hours and then stop, but leave me completely worn out. I hope this baby is not "sunny side up;" but if he is, hopefully, my body is trying to get him in the right position before the real labor starts. It's all starting to become quite surreal to me - 'I really am going to give birth and have a baby within a matter of weeks.' Whoa. I keep looking at the baby swing, thinking, 'There is going to be a baby in there soon!' It kind-of blows my mind! I can't even imagine what it is going to be like to meet this child that I've dreamed of for so long. I can't wait for that day!

We continue to stay busy - maybe a little too busy, but it's a good way to pass the time. Saturday, we went to Brook's cousin's graduation party and then to Anna and Livia's bday party. I started to get back cramps there and we had to leave early. I was hoping it might be the start of the real deal, but ended up on the couch and slept for 12 hours that night! Sunday, after Mass, there was an art show in town and we bought a little something for the baby's room. Then, we went to the beach to walk, play in the water and just enjoy the gorgeous weather. After some painting - Brook (the basement's almost done!) and weeding our landscaping - me, we decided to do Rosy Mound. I've done it a few times a week for the last 3 months or so, but now I think it might be a little too much for my body! Bummer. Oh well, soon we will be doing it with a baby in a carrier! (Or should I say, BROOK will be doing it with a baby in a carrier! ;-))))

39 weeks and headin' to the beach!

38 Weeks

Not much to say this week, other than we are ready to meet this baby! My body is progressing on it's own, which is encouraging; so it's just a waiting game at this point. Sleep has become tougher over the last few days, which seems so unfair. The time we need to be most rested (to get through L&D), we are often most tired. Don't worry, I fit in cat naps here and there. (I know you were worried! ;-))) But other than that, I am really feeling fine . . . still working, exercising and staying as busy as can be to keep my mind off everything. I have also been getting massages once a week for the last 3 weeks. It definitely helps with the sore back and relaxation! I have another one tonight - maybe I'll ask her to include a little accupressure to try to get the ball rolling here! :-)

37.5 weeks

April AND May Showers

We were blessed to have numerous showers thrown for our baby. My mom and sisters threw one in April, then Brook’s mom and aunt in May. My friends from when I worked in Jackson also put on one for us in April and then the ladies I work with now did one last week. Phew, I know! So, much generosity and it is very humbling. I still have trouble wrapping my mind around the fact that we chose to have a baby and people buy us presents. We definitely have everything we need for his arrival . . . now we are just waiting . . . As my SIL said, “Come on baby, come out!” :-)

These cute little "bouquets" were made out of socks - love them!

My sisters put together a "how to change a diaper" kit for Brook.

He was such a good sport!



JuJu loves her little cousin!
She likes to press on my stomach and say, "Baby, wake up!"
and keeps telling me that he needs a blankie in there!

Kathy and I are due just 3 weeks apart!

What a special cake, made by Aunt Vicki!

35 Weeks

There has been a lot going on the last month or so . . . 2 weddings, a funeral, baby showers, day-to-day life . . . ; hence, my lack of posting. The pregnancy has been progressing beautifully and we are getting oh-so-excited to meet our baby! Hopefully, he will be like his parents and be punctual, but I already have a feeling this baby is going to be Mr. Independent and do things his way. So, we shall see!

Unfortunately, my Grandpa Hank (who I wrote about here) passed away a few weeks ago. The lung cancer he had 5 years ago came back and spread to his brain. He went downhill very fast and it was terrible to watch him suffer. I will miss him so much and find it especially hard that the baby he was so excited about will never get to meet him (this side of Heaven). But, I thank God that he is now out of his misery. Numerous people, who never met Grandpa, have said, “He sounds like a man who lived life to the fullest.” And that he did. May you rest in peace, Grandpa . . . I love you!

We are now 10 weeks into our Bradley class. At the beginning, a 12 week course on labor and delivery seemed a bit daunting and, honestly, a little much. (As numerous people have chosen to express their opinions and tell us such – as if our labor and delivery has anything to do with them!) But the class was SO much more than “just” labor and delivery! We have talked about pregnancy nutrition, exercise, relaxation techniques; the stages and possible complications of labor and delivery; breastfeeding; birth plans; packing lists (#1 on the list for dad: mom – I’m not kidding, the book really said that!) and numerous other things that I can’t quite think of at the moment. Of course, not everything I have agreed with (shocker, right?), but you take the good and leave what you don’t need. What I am most appreciative for is that I’ve finally come to this realization: the goal of all of this is a healthy baby and healthy mom. And I will do whatever it takes, within my control, to make that happen. So, if that means I have to get an epidural or C-Section, so be it. I’d really like to have an unmedicated birth and who wants a C-Section? But if either are required for the health of our baby or myself, then so be it. I am thankful that I’ve been able to get to this place. It’s really helped to relieve some of the anxiety surrounding L&D for me and I’m really glad we chose to take the course.

We have also gotten some comic relief from the classes . . . though I’m not sure the instructor thinks we’re too funny! Since this is a “husband-coached” approach, we spent 1 whole class talking about the coach. As in, making sure the coach was well-nourished during L&D, rested, etc. There were suggestions for him to bring a cooler of food to keep his energy up and if he got tired, to lay in the bed with me! LOL!!!! I was seriously in disbelief about this. I think I made it pretty clear if Brook asked to get in the bed with me, he would probably get punched! The instructor did not appreciate my comments on the matter. I’m pretty sure Brook WILL ask me this now, but hopefully just to make me laugh.

30.5 Weeks

At 35 weeks - enjoying a trip to Target!

Kid Stuff

A few weeks ago, my work did an Easter basket drive. So, Anna and Livia went shopping with us to help us make 2 baskets for some needy kids in our area. Before we went shopping, I asked April, "If the girls still believe in the Easter Bunny, how do we explain that we are shopping for Easter baskets for needy kids?" She just laughed and I hoped they wouldn't ask any questions. (And if they did, I would've said, "That's a good question for your mom!" Haha!) We took them to the store and they carefully picked out items for each basket. Then, we went back to their house to assemble them and have pizza. There were only a few times that Livia wanted some of the candy for herself! She's our candy queen. :-) They did a great job and I'm sure 2 little girls were very happy this morning.

Arranging Easter baskets requires serious conversation ;)

Goofballs!



The finished products!

Not too long after Easter basket shopping, I made cupcakes and decorated them with Jaime, Veronica and the gang.

I guess Connor missed the memo that it was cupcake "decorating," not eating!

Aunt Ruth helping Sophie

Happy Easter!

We had Easter dinner at our hosue this year with mine and Brook's parents and Hannah. Trent and April and the girls joined us for dessert and a mini-scavenger hunt later in the afternoon. I made a ham, au gratin potatoes, green bean casserole, a salad and rolls and Brook's mom brought the desserts. There was no shortage of food, that's for sure! We worked hard all weekend to get the house and dinner ready and it turned out quite lovely, if I do say so myself. :-) What a great way to celebrate the risen Christ!

He is Risen! He is risen indeed!

Birthday Fun

We celebrated Ria’s 5th birthday at Chuck E Cheese with the fam. I thought the kids would be wild gazoobians, but they were really good. Connor, Julia and Maria seemed to enjoy it a little more than Sophie, though. She wasn’t very fond of Chuck E! Ria absolutely loved it and basked in the attention, as most 5 year-olds would. As I’ve said before, she made me an aunt for the first time and changed my heart forever. I didn’t know I could love kids so much until I became an aunt and just can’t imagine how much I am going to love our baby.

Awesome cake, made by Gma Sherri!

"Oh no, there's Chuck E!"

Keeping her eye on Chuck E