Thirty-nine Weeks.

We're down to the wire now! We are just one week away from your due date... which means we are in the single-digit days left until we meet you (hopefully)! As we get closer to the forty week mark, you are packing on more baby fat than ever which is making your skin look less pinkish-red and more white. That also means you now weigh about seven pounds and you are probably somewhere around 20 inches long. You're about the size of a watermelon now, which means you are running out of room in my belly - you are still moving a lot, but they are definitely smaller movements. You don't 'kick' as much anymore - it's more like stretches and flexes, and of course, the hiccups!


Last week was my last one at work so I'm now officially on maternity leave!! I'm glad to be done working and choosing an end date made it a lot easier to transfer my job duties - no leaving work in limbo every afternoon! So now that I've been home for a few days, I'm just trying to keep myself busy and not get too impatient. I've done quite a bit of cleaning and walking with Leo and  spending time with some of my girlfriends. It has still been very hot for the last few days, so I haven't been able to get outside much - but hopefully it cools off soon!


In the meantime, we are all ready for you to arrive - everyone is anxious to meet you! It has been funny - whenever I call someone (namely, my parents) the first question is "Is the baby coming!?!". And so far the answer has been "Nope, not today!", but I'm looking forward to the time when I can say "Yep - it's time!!!". Hopefully it won't be too much longer until I get to make that phone call :)

How far along? 39 weeks
Maternity clothes? I'm loving skirts, dresses and nightgowns at the moment - no belly band and they are just a lot cooler!
Stretch marks? Ugh... I finally got a few. I just noticed them in the mirror, right underneath my belly button :(
Sleep: It's not the best, I wake up a lot and have trouble falling back asleep. Luckily I can sleep in a little more now since I don't have to get up for work.
Best moment this week? Finishing up work!
Miss anything? Wearing my wedding rings.
Movement? You're less active these days - I think you are just completely out of space!
Food cravings? Watermelon, blueberries and orange sherbet ice cream!
Anything making you queasy or sick? The heat really gets to me...
Mood? I'm feeling really impatient lately... but I know the end is near!
Labor Signs? I'm having more frequent contractions lately, but I have no idea if they are the real deal or not...
What are you looking forward to this week? Seeing the doctor tomorrow and hopefully meeting you within the next week!!!


I also have to add these few pictures of your silly big brother Leo. He got up on the couch to cuddle with your dad the other day and he made himself  right at home :) What a cutie!

I hope you don't keep us waiting for too much longer - we are SO ready to meet you baby!!


All my love, Mom

Thirty-eight Weeks.

We're inching closer and closer to meeting you - hopefully only about two more weeks :) But you are ready to join us any time now, your lungs are fully mature and your immune system is good to go! This week you are about the size of a pumpkin - you weigh about 6.5 pounds and you're about 19-20 inches long. We are certainly ready to meet you and it's nice to know that you are ready to meet us too!


Last week was really nice - I had lots of time off work and your Grandma E. came and stayed with us for a few days. We did have a major heat wave last week though, so that made getting out of the house pretty tough but it has cooled off a little bit now - only in the high 80's instead of the low 100's!! I've been still trying to stay active, lots of walks (albeit, slow walks) and I'm still going to yoga once a week. Last week your Grandma even went with me to yoga, which was really fun :) The walking is definitely getting tougher, but I feel good when I finish and I know that walking could help get you out sooner - so I just keep going!


In other exciting news - this will be my last week at work before I start my maternity leave next week!! I had originally planned to work up to the bitter end, but I'm getting more uncomfortable by the day and I had already planned to take some additional time off after you get here, so I decided to start my leave a little early. I know that it won't be too long until you're here, so I hope the next few weeks go by quickly and I don't get too bored at home :) I guess I'll have Leo to keep me company!!

How far along? 38 weeks
Maternity clothes? I'm glad I won't be working for much longer, because I am very quickly running out of work-appropriate clothes that still fit.
Stretch marks? Knocking on wood, still none
Sleep: Getting difficult - it's hard to get comfortable and I'm also going to the bathroom a lot more often. And you move a LOT at night now, which keeps me up sometimes!
Best moment this week? Hanging out with my mom last week :)
Miss anything? Wearing normal clothes - maternity shorts are terrible!
Movement? Lots of rolling movement and hiccups - I can tell you are out of room in there! You also like to stick your back and butt out at the front of my belly which makes everything look all lopsided and weird :)
Food cravings? Nothing specific this week.
Anything making you queasy or sick? I have been feeling generally queasy for the last couple of days, but I'm not sure why.
Mood? Happy to be done working soon and super excited to meet you!
Labor Signs? Some Braxton-Hicks contractions, achy back and legs
What are you looking forward to this week? Finishing up with work and my doctor's appointment tonight.


All my love, Mom

Thirty-seven Weeks.

It's official! You are full term this week :) That means that your lungs are developed enough that if you were born today you probably wouldn't need any help breathing and we would be able to take you home with us! This is great news - it means you can safely make your appearance at any time now! You are still just growing bigger and bigger - this week you are about the size of a watermelon, you weigh a little over 6 pounds and you are probably about 19 inches long.

I'm now going to see the doctor once a week - yesterday was my 37 week appointment and everything looks good! My blood pressure, weight, urine, iron, and platelets all look good and you are measuring right on track. Your heart rate was a healthy 153 bpm yesterday and you were moving around like crazy when the doctor was trying to determine your position. Your head is still down, but you are kind of laying horizontally now - which is ok, you definitely aren't breech or transverse, but it just means your head isn't engaged in my pelvis yet to get ready for birth. Hopefully you'll make that move soon - because I'm getting anxious to meet you!!

Today is my 'Friday' at work - tomorrow is a Holiday for the 4th of July and I'm taking vacation days on Thursday & Friday - yay!! I'm looking forward to a few relaxing days at home! Hopefully your Grandma & Grandpa E. are going to come visit us for a few days this week, and your dad and I have some other things getting done around the house. A plumber is coming to install a garbage disposal and fix our outside faucet today and then on Saturday we have someone coming to clean out the air ducts in the house. I know you aren't going to care if we have a working garbage disposal when you come home with us - but I'm still so glad to be getting it done before you arrive!

How far along? 37 weeks
Maternity clothes? I'm really loving dresses these days - I stay so much cooler in them than in pants or shorts with the full belly panel to hold them up.
Stretch marks? Nope!
Sleep: I've been getting up to go to the bathroom more than ever lately and my back and shoulders are starting to get really sore... so sleep has not been so wonderful.
Best moment this week? Reaching full-term with you and knowing that you can now come out at anytime!
Miss anything? I miss lots of things - running, a cold beer, normal sized feet, and generally just feeling healthy and mobile!
Movement? You are still definitely my little squirms :)
Food cravings? Fruit! Pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries!
Anything making you queasy or sick? Just the excessive heat!
Mood? Trying to stay patient, but I'm getting really ready to meet you!
Labor Signs? Some Braxton-Hicks contractions, not much else
What are you looking forward to this week? My long weekend and seeing my parents!


All my love, Mom

Thirty-six Weeks.

We are in the home stretch now baby - month nine, only about four more weeks to go! And, man, I am ready to get this show on the road! You should weigh about 6 pounds this week and you are still coming in at about 18 inches long - which is about the size of a honeydew melon. Most of your important development is complete at this point - you are just gaining weight and your lungs are still working on getting ready for your first breath. Your liver and kidneys are fully functional and your circulatory and immune systems are good to go at this point too.


It has been a long week for me - staying focused at work is becoming very difficult and the days are feeling longer & longer. It has also been really, really hot recently which has made me pretty uncomfortable and my feet and ankles are SO swollen - not a pretty sight! But I know the end is near, so I'm trying to make the best of it and enjoy being pregnant while I can. So that means (semi-) guilt-free cravings like ice cream and cream soda and soaking up every time you start squirming around - I love that!


We don't have a lot going on this weekend, which will be nice - hopefully your dad and I can just relax and spend some quality time together :) Next week, I'm taking Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday off from work - and I am SO pumped for that! Yay for a two day work week! Hopefully your Grandma & Grandpa E. will be able to come and visit us then too, probably for the last time until they come to meet you! 

How far along? 36 weeks
Maternity clothes? I had to try on three shirts on Monday morning - they were all too small! I never thought I would see that day :)
Stretch marks? Still none
Sleep: I've slept like a rock this week!
Best moment this week? Finishing your room and getting everything ready for you - so exciting!
Miss anything? I miss running - and even a nice long walk! It has been so hot that even walking is pretty uncomfortable.
Movement? Lots of little squirms and thumps now - nothing big anymore, no more room!
Food cravings? Nothing specific lately
Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope 
Mood? Happy to be in the final weeks!
Labor Signs? Lots of Braxton-Hicks contractions, especially when I'm really active
What are you looking forward to this week? A nice, quiet weekend at home, hopefully staying out of the heat and my short week next week!


All my love, Mom

Your Own Little Corner.

After many months - and one long weekend - your room is finally ready for you! We started working on your nursery a while ago, but last weekend we put put it all together and now it is complete! And I have to say - it's my favorite room in the house : ) I just love how it turned out and I can't wait to have you in there!


We spent Saturday afternoon shopping for all of the last minute things we needed for you and then doing your (adorable!) laundry and getting everything all set up. The crib is made up, pictures are hung, diapers are organized, clothes are washed and put away, and toys are ready to be played with - now all we need is you my dear : )


Here is your very first load of laundry - and goodness it was so much fun to fold all of your teeny-tiny clothes! I am a little worried about your itty-bitty socks getting lost quickly, they're just SO darn small!!

 All folded and put away - just waiting to be worn by you :)

And finally - here is your room, your own little corner, just waiting for you!

I am just so happy with how it turned out - colorful and cheery, but still calm and relaxing too. I hope you'll love it just as much as I do :)


All my love, Mom

A Year of Dates: June.

We had quite the busy weekend - and part of that weekend included your Dad and I going on our date for the month of June on Saturday. We started our date with lunch at Schnitz's Deli - one of your dad's absolute favorite places to eat! They do have some amazing (and huge!) sandwiches, here is your dad with his pick - The Big John:

After our sandwiches (and a brownie, of course) we headed out to do our big baby shopping trip. We went to Babies'R'Us, Target, and Buy Buy Baby to pick up all of the items that we still needed before you arrive... at least I hope we got everything! We had quite a few coupons, so that was a big help and it felt really good to get all of that stuff crossed off my list.

When we got home from shopping, we spent most of the afternoon getting things out of packages and cutting tags off of clothes and toys... and let me tell you - baby stuff is some of the most over-packaged stuff on the face of the earth! We must have cut off about a million little plastic tags... 

Then in the afternoon, we continued the rest of our date out of the West Michigan Whitecaps baseball game :) We both got lots of good food and treats - what trip to a baseball game would be complete without a hot dog, soft pretzel, french fries, elephant ear, ice cream and beer (for your dad!) ?!?! YUM!

It was a good game and we enjoyed ourselves - even though the home team lost :( After the game we stuck around for a while and watched the fireworks show! 

We had a lovely summer date, great weather, great food and great time spent together :)

All my love, Mom

Mail Call.

Most of the items we get in the mail are either bills or junk mail - and they generally arrive in envelopes. Well, yesterday you got something a lot more fun delivered by the mailman... and it definitely was NOT in an envelope! Without further ado, here is your package - it flew all the way from Hawaii to get to you:

It's a coconut!!!! Sent with lots of love straight from Hawaii from your Great Aunt Sharon, Great Uncle Rich, and cousins Jessica and Jean :)

I mean, who knew you could actually just slap a stamp on a coconut and mail the darn thing?!?!! Pretty cool :) And you are a pretty lucky babe to be getting such great mail already! It's funny because my baby book said that you are the size of a coconut this week - I hope it wasn't talking about this particular coconut, because that thing is pretty big and you still have some growing to do!!

Leo was very curious about your present - he kept waiting for your dad to toss it so he could go chase it :) Needless to say, he was disappointed when that didn't happen...

So, there's your first souvenir  - and your first coconut!! Your family sure does love you already - and I know they are all getting just as excited to meet you as I am!


All my love, Mom