40 weeks!

Forty weeks! I made it:) I have been SO busy this last week without work- I've been checking things off the to-do list like crazy! It has definitely worn me out...the nice thing about doing all the hard work and wearing myself out? Now I get to be relaxed and almost lazy as I work on "extra" things....things that don't have to be done before Baby B's arrival. At the midwife appointment this week Baby's heartbeat still sounded great and my belly measured right on track. She also said I'm 1cm and my cervix is soft and shortening...all good signs that Baby is on its way:)!

Baby B's "take-home" outfit...a Husky fan from day 1!

The due-date belly!

Here are some final shots of the belly! Today is the "official" midwife due date, November 3, 2010...come and gone (its now 9:30pm- I doubt we're gonna make it:). Ryan and I went out on a due-date date...and had dinner with our friends Tommy and Stacy, who leave in the morning to move to Florida. Tommy is on to the next step in his training for the Navy! We're going to miss them...and it was the perfect excuse for me to get the dinner I was craving! Now I just have to wait for it to digest so I can sleep...too much grease and I've got heartburn:( But it was SO yummy!! Just in the last couple of days I've become SO much more uncomfortable. My belly has "dropped" significantly and my lower back is bothering me more. Sleeping has become harder...and I have to use the bathroom way more frequently. Baby is really squishing that bladder! I've also started to retain water...I haven't had to deal with swollen feet or hands...or carpal tunnel until now. (Just once or twice on really hot days during the summer). And this hasn't gone away overnight like usual...it's a good thing all my hard work is done and I can relax now! AND the worst side-effect...my hands fall asleep at night and wake me up! It's almost over...and this is the worst part...that's what everyone says and I'm choosing to believe them:).

My fat ankles and piggies!

39 weeks!

I worked my last day as a sub on Thursday...and I've been "nesting" since then. I LOVE checking things off a to-do list!! I would appreciate it if Baby waited until November 1st but at this point the only thing I really really really want to get done still is replace the changing table with a dresser but I don't get paid until Friday and want to shop at IKEA down in Renton...so that means a Saturday trip. My heartburn still seems to be manageable with this prescription, although I'm noticing an increase in what I would call reflux...it woke me up last night choking:( Not a pleasant experience...soon and very soon I won't have to worry anymore! Oh, and bubble baths are beyond uncomfortable now...what a sad day in my life! Ha:) No matter what I do I can't get the belly in the water! Wish it was still summer and I could visit the lake and float. For whatever reason, visiting the pool just doesn't sound appealing...maybe its the chlorine or the fact that I can't fit into a swim suit! At least at the lake I could wear clothes and look somewhat normal. My next post could include a Baby! EEK!

Pax and the belly...

Last night Pax discovered my belly...today it entertained him for quite awhile. I would love to know what his little brain is thinking!!

38 weeks!

38 weeks! The end is definitely in sight! Even if I go all the way to 42 weeks, I'll be done in a month:) I'm dreaming of being able to sleep on my tummy, walk up my stairs without being winded...and of course, drink a beer (or a glass of wine)!!! I'm subbing 4 days this week in a PE class and have been walking the track as much as possible- I did 3 miles yesterday! It seems funny that 3 miles is such an accomplishment...what a difference 38 weeks can make in a runners' life! I'm definitely starting to feel like a deadline is approaching. I don't know if you would truly call it nesting since I'm not obsessively cleaning...but in life I tend to be a procrastinator...I get all sorts of motivation the closer the deadline. (My writer's block always disappears the night before a paper is due). I'm sleeping in an almost completely upright sitting position now- even with the prescription heartburn relief AND tums at night. I CAN'T wait to sleep lying down in my own bed (I've been on the couch for months now), even if it is only for 2-3 hours at a time! We've been working on the nursery...still some things to wrap up (no doorknob yet, for example) but it will work to bring baby home to! I'm hoping to replace the changing table with a low and long dresser- something with room for a lamp, the ipod docking station and the wipes to sit out on. I still need to start on Baby B's quilt too...hoping to work on that next week when I'm all done subbing!

37 weeks...good to go!

We're officially legal to deliver with the midwife! Things are definitely starting to get really cramped in there...I now have to sleep in a more upright position. Even with the prescription heartburn medecine I wake up choking if I lay too flat. Not fun or comfortable. My back is starting to bother me more- this belly gets heavy quickly! I had my 37 week appointment today and I haven't gained any weight...or grown since last week...maybe that means Baby is getting close to showing up?!

I had my belly painted this Sunday by a family friend from church, Wayne Clinton. It was lots of fun, didn't tickle and a picture of it will end up as part of the nursery decorations. This just seemed like a much easier way to celebrate and remember the belly versus a belly cast (in my opinon)! My parents and sister and brother-in-law, along with Wayne's wife Cammy joined us for dinner and we even got the crib set up too!

I did a major shopping trip to Target on Monday to use my gift cards and finish up shopping for some of the necessities. It took over 2 hours and 2 carts...and unfortunately a couple return trips. The changing table just wasn't as sturdy as I had hopped and I think we've decided to go with a low dresser instead- that way it lasts throughout Baby's childhood...and maybe even beyond. Baby's bag is packed and carseat is loaded in the car. I just need to finish packing my bag...and then we wait:)! We'll get some pics of the nursery up soon!

Welcome Brenna Anne

Our good friends Rick and Linnea welcomed a beautiful daughter today!

Brenna Anne- 6lbs 5oz 19.5 inches long


Big sister Allysen Marie loving on Brenna!

a cousin for Baby B!

Baby B is going to have a cousin in June 2011...congrats to Matt and Janae!!!