36 Weeks: Maternity Pictures

Today, Drew and I went and had my maternity pictures taken.  This subject has been quite the battle for us.  When I found out I was pregnant, and I knew that this one was going to stick around, I told him that I wanted maternity pictures from Bobbi and Mike.  I have been a fan of their work for ages now and I love, love, love every image that they post.  I even told Drew that the maternity session could be my anniversary, Christmas, birthday, and "push present".  He wouldn't go for it.  I agree that the session would have cost a little much, but I just wanted some great pictures.  Reluctantly, I let it go.

He told me to find someone local, so we began researching.  We found Kristen at Photography by Kristen and I loved what I saw on her website.  After a little chatting back and forth, and rescheduling, we were finally able to go today to take some pictures.

We had a great time and she was so sweet to work with.  Now, I just have to practice some patience until my photos are ready.  This is the part that I'm not so good at.

Tonight, we treated ourselves to massages.  I received a gift certificate from some wonderful ladies back when I had the miscarriage, and I've been waiting to use it.  I decided that now was the perfect time since I'm starting to feel sore.  I had a prenatal massage and Drew got a deep tissue.  Honestly, it was just ok.  I mean, don't get me wrong, it felt great to have someone rub my back, but I was hoping to feel better than I do afterwards.  I think I really just wanted some more pressure, especially on my lower back and feet.

No belly picture this week.  I'll share my maternity photos when I get them.

35 weeks: 35/35

33 weeks

34 weeks

35 weeks

This week marks 35 weeks, 35 (ish) days to go!  I can't believe that I've finally hit this milestone.  It seemed so far away in the beginning and I felt like I would never make it.

Physically, I feel huge.  Everybody keeps telling me that I'm all belly and that if it wasn't for the belly (and boobs) nobody would be able to tell that I was pregnant.  I've noticed my hands, feet, and ankles swelling up some.  Actually, I had a discussion with Drew the other day about whether my ankles were swollen or fat.  My vote was fat, his was swollen.

I've gained 27 pounds so far, and my poor feet can feel it!  I can also feel it when I try to put my socks and shoes on.

My belly button is so ready to pop out.  Every week, when we take my belly picture, I always say that next week my belly button will be popped out.  I can't believe that it hasn't done it yet.

Her movements are absolutely crazy at this point!  I am always wincing as she stretches and rolls around, and my belly contorts into the weirdest shapes as she moves.  As painful as it is, it's amazing too!  I've been able to feel her hiccup for quite a few weeks now.  Sometimes, I can even see my belly move with her hiccups.  Right now, her hiccups are the only way that I can tell if she's head up or down.

My sleep has been awful lately.  I truly believe that all the getting up in the middle of the night to pee is simply practice for when the baby actually comes.  Thankfully, I'm able to fall back to sleep quickly when I do wake up.

I have a feeling that the next few weeks are just going to fly by with all of the stuff that we have going on.  I am so anxious and excited to meet our little lady!

Baby Shower

My amazing sister-in-law threw me a fabulous baby shower today.  She started planning back at Thanksgiving, and when she came into town over Christmas, completed the remainder of it.  Once I heard that she wasn't going to be coming to the shower, I put my foot down and insisted on flying her up here so that she could be a part of what she planned.  It just didn't seem right that she did all of that work and then not be able to enjoy it.  So, Drew and I picked her up from the airport yesterday, and we just got back from dropping her back off there.  Yes, it was quite a quick trip.  But, the shower was amazing!

My sister was in charge of taking pictures, and she did a great job.  I have about a gabillion to choose from, but since I'm sure you don't want to be bored looking at all of them, I'll just share some that have a little story.

Drew's grandma gave me this quilt and told me that it was made by some women down in Florida where we like to go and vacation.

Drew's aunt made me a "Hooter Hider".  I'll use this when I nurse or pump if I'm in public and need to cover myself.  She also made one for Jessica when she had her baby shower and I loved it, so I am very honored that she made one for me.  I love that fabric that she chose!

This bag was filled with diapers and some baby wash and lotion and was a gift from Drew's cousin that lives in Africa.  This bag is crocheted from plastic bags!  Yes, plastic bags!!!  I was amazed when his aunt told me this.  There is a flower on the front of the bag that you can tell is made from plastic bag material, but you'd never be able to guess that the bag is made from plastic bags.  I love it!

This was one of Drew's quilts when he was a baby.  It amazes me what his mother has kept all these years. I think that Drew's daughter will love laying on there and looking at all the colors.

The cake matched the invitation perfectly!

We were showered with so many great gifts and our little lady is definitely spoiled!  We are so, so grateful!

32 Weeks: Growth Scan

Today, we had a growth scan at my doctor's appointment.  The little lady has been head down for every ultrasound, and yesterday, I know she was head down because I felt her have hiccups four times and each time I felt them down low.  But, wouldn't you know, she has decided to flip and is now breeched.  Oh joy! I'm not too worried about it at this point because I know that she still has quite a bit of time to flip back around.

The ultrasound tech took some measurements, and let us know that she is about 3 pounds 15 ounces.  I know to take this number as a grain of salt, because it's usually wrong.  She is in the 37th percentile right now.

The tech tried to take some 3D pictures since we didn't really get any good ones a couple of weeks ago, but again, we have a stubborn little lady on our hands.  She had her arms and legs in front of her face the whole time.  She's obviously camera shy!

After the ultrasound, Drew and I met with the doctor.  We talked about a c-section since she is breeched.  Basically, I have another ultrasound at 36 weeks to see if she has flipped, and also one at 38 weeks.  If she remains breech, I'll have a c-section on March 19th.  If she turns, my doctor will check me at my 38 week appointment, and if I am dilated at all, he will induce me.  If I am not dilated, he will let me go and check me again when he gets back from vacation.

It makes it very real to have a potential end date.  I know that she can still come any time between now and then, but it's still very surreal to have a possible birthday for this little lady.

At our childbirth class tonight, we got a tour of the labor and delivery floor at the hospital that we'll be delivering at.  The rooms are pretty big and have recently been remodeled.  I am very happy with the security that they have in place on the floor.  I feel like delivering there will be a positive experience.  Crossing my fingers that I get great nurses!

I ordered her baby book on Monday, and it arrived this afternoon.  I'm very happy with it!  I'll do a separate post on that soon.  I also ordered a quote for her nursery to put on the wall, but I'm still waiting on that.

Drew keeps telling me that he wants to put the bedding on her crib.  It's so cute how excited he is for that.  I have my first shower in about two weeks, so I'll probably wash the bedding after that.  Her room is slowly coming together and I hope to have it finished within the next few weeks.

Still basically feeling the same.  It's hard to move around and she always feels like she's trying to kick her way out of my belly.  I'm sure she's starting to run out of space in there!