1 MONTH

Today is August 29th.  I didn't realize this until 1/2 way through my work day.  But let me tell you what, when I realized that my due date is only 1 month from today I threw a mini party in my office!!! I celebrated with 5 pieces of pizza at our lunch and learn.  YIKES!!!!

I can't even express how exciting life is getting around here!  One month or LESS!!!!!!!

35 Weeks

How Far Along: 35 Weeks

5 to go!

Size of baby: honeydew melon

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +29 lbs

Movement: Not as frequent any more but when he does decide to reposition himself I am VERY aware!

Sleep: good and bad nights.  Buddy is really struggling with allergies again so he is pretty anxious and needs constant loving so he wakes me up every now and then.  I've also been trying to sleep on my right side.  I've had some pretty odd swelling of my left leg and have been instructed to lay on my right to encourage my little one to change positions.  Hopefully the swelling will correct itself soon so I can go back to my left.  I hate waking up nauseous again, and sleeping on my left really helped with that.  I would complain further but I know it is only preparing me for what is to come.

Best Moment This Week: this past week was a super productive week for me.  I cleaned out closets and organized Williams room.  There are a few additional pieces we're waiting on for his room but for the most part it is ready for him, this is a huge stress relief.  Now I just have to get the guest room ready for the Grandma's!!! That's my plan for this weekend.  That and working on the baby book.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Luke is back in the swing of fall basketball so he will be working the next few evenings.  I am always so ready for him to get home after his games, but I am so much more productive in the evenings when he is working.  I have a payroll coming up and lots of sorting and decluttering in the guest room, not to mention pages of scrap booking to do before William arrives.  Luke being away for a few hours an evening will be just what I need to get me motivated to get something productive done!

And now - because we all need a good laugh now and then!  Get a load of this BIG momma!!!  William better appreciate all that I do for him. 

multi-purpose gifts!

so I've been told there are always multiple uses for the baby items that we received as gifts.  Luke had no problem demonstrating this while driving us home from KS a few weeks ago.  Thanks for the nursing/driving pillow Clint and Ashley!!!

I'm pretty sure he is awake in this picture ;)  We did make it home in one piece and I didn't have to drive so no complaints from me.

Showered with Love...

And it's official - this post has the cheesiest title ever!  But it is so true that I just couldn't come up with something better.  Luke, William, and I have literally been showered with love the past few weeks.  We've been receiving gifts in the mail from friends that live much too far away.  On top of the packages we've received in the mail the out pouring of love and support from our friends and family in Hesston was just amazing!  For the first time in my pregnancy I feel like I'm prepared to bring a baby home.  Of course there are still a few things we need to pick up but for the most part a baby could live quite comfortably with the things we have.  I have 2 more showers coming up over the next few weeks and I've had friends ask what I still need and I just look at them like an idiot.  I have NO idea what I need, I really do feel pretty prepared; however, being a first time mom I'm sure there is some amazing product that I don't have and/or even know about.  So if you are one of the AMAZING mothers that I know what are some of your "must have" products?  I would love to replace to blank stare with an intelligent response ;)
Thanks Again to those of you that have spoiled us.  We really do appreciate everything you have done for us.  And a super duper extra big thank you to my amazing aunts Kathy and Marda for hosting my family shower, and to the best sister-in-law and mother-in-law that a girl could ask for.  Katie and Molly put together a wonderful evening with friends and family!  I know I've said it a million times and I know I'll say it millions more but I really do have the best family in the world and I hope that you all know bringing William into this world would be terrifying if I didn't have you guys!  The love and support from our parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.  is overwhelming and we couldn't appreciate it more.

Ok - enough of the sappy stuff, here are some pictures I've stolen from my mom, Katie, and molly.

can you see how much us Raleigh girls LOVE miss Emory!  But how could you not - look at her!

 what dad's do during baby showers :)

 so I think my gma is the only one paying attention to me opening gifts.  This picture just cracks me up :)

miss Emory and Ely.  They were pretty into each other.  Watch out Phil.

the aftermath!  It's all been washed and put away now but it was a little intimidating at first!

34 Weeks

How Far Along: 34 Weeks

6 weeks left

 

Size of baby: a honeydew

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +23 pounds

Movement: All the time.  Yesterday was party day for William.  Not sure what he was so excited about - maybe the new shelves.  He didn't stop going all day long and it seems he has the same plan for today.  There is a foot or something in my ribs, every now and then I can see a big bulge right between them.  And just incase you were wondering it is incredibly painful.  The only relief I get is from raising my right arm straight up in the air, I learned this little trick from my handy dandy yoga DVD (thanks Katie)!

Sleep: I LOVE it - can't get enough! My 7am work time has been slowly pushed back to sprinting in the door at 7:30am.  I'm just hoping that I can continue to make it in by 7:30 for the next 6 weeks. 

What I miss: Just the obvious things like: ankles, my wedding ring, bending over to dry off after a shower, putting on my own shoes and socks, etc.  But honestly I wouldn't trade in a single one if it meant that I wouldn't be a mommy to William in a few short weeks.  I really think I could do just about anything right now and not be upset about it as long as it meant that my little man was happy, and healthy! 

Cravings: I eat alot of cheese.  I guess I crave it.  String cheese and nectarines are my favorite snack and I have atleast one of each when I get home from work each evening.  I also eat alot of yogurt and granola - I keep it at work as a handy breakfast and mid day snack.  Peanut butter and jelly was also a staple until we ran out of jelly and I can never seem to remember it when we are grocery shopping.  In fact the last pb&j I had was from mom and dads house.  I should have just stolen their jelly!

Symptoms: again, just the usually pregnancy symptoms.  Fatigue, heartburn, swollen everything (I blame the humidity).  None of it is too unbearable and I can handle it all for the next 6 weeks!! 

Best Moment This Week: hearing that William is head down and starting to prepare for his departure.  We have one more 2 week appt and then we begin the weekly Dr. visit.  It just seems so crazy/exciting that we are really at that point!

Milestones: Baby can recognize and react to simple songs...time to start practicing your lullabies!  In fact, baby will recognize frequently sung tunes after birth and probably find them soothing.  Less cute news; he now urinates about one pint per day.  Get the diapers ready!

What I'm Looking Forward To: I have a shower at work on the 26th and a shower with Ruston friends on the 3rd.  I still just can't believe how many people love this little guy!!

He did it Again!

As you all know I'm slightly spoiled.  In fact my brother - in - law made the comment while we were in Hawaii that I owe Luke a new set of golf clubs or something along those lines for putting up with me.  I would like to think that was a hint to Lauren that he is wanting her to buy him something for all the crap he puts up with but I'm pretty sure I would be lying to myself if I did that.  I.AM.SPOILED.  There, I said it.  I've been spoiled for awhile now, but ever since William came along it has gotten a little out of hand.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  Well, he did it again.  I've been complaining about lack of storage at home for awhile now and even more so since we got home from our showers this past weekend.  Today - I came home to new shelves in the laundry room! 

These cell phone pictures don't even begin to do them justice!  There is SO much space just waiting for a little organization!! I already have a plan in my head for them.  I need to make a trip to get some storage bins and containers for loose parts, but hopefully by the end of the weekend I'll have cleaned out the hall closet and moved it all to the laundry room so that baby overflow can be housed in the hall closet!  I'm off to browse Pinterest for ideas!!!!

Playing Catch Up.......

I can't remember exactly where we left off last time and as you can tell I haven't taken the time to look :) Let't not call it lazy, we'll go with easily distracted.  As you may recall way back when we had our ultrasounds Dr. M moved our due date up to September 29th.  Since then I've continued to use the original October 5 due date but I just can't seem to continue.  I am due on September 29th, Dr. M has made comments about having this little boy here by the end of September.  I've committed myself to this date and now I just pray that I don't go past it or I'll be kicking myself for ever straying from the original, safe October date.


With all that said I'm now 33 weeks and finally feeling Great!

I'll get back to the weekly updates when we hit 34 weeks as long as I'm not being distracted ;)


We had an amazing weekend in Hesston, celebrating with family and friends the impending arrival of our little William.  We traveled home with TONS of new baby gear that will require a post all its own.  I've been slowly going through it and trying to organize and reorganize his room to find the perfect spot for all of this great stuff!  Luke is on "break" for the next 3 weeks which means he will have even more projects around the house to fit in around his dissertation and golf digest work.  Tomorrow he will be building a shelving unit for the laundry room, and installing new blinds/shades in Williams room.  I haven't even begun to dream of all the little projects but I know they will probably all be related to creative storage solutions.  Pinterest will be my friend as I search for DIY storage ideas and he may hate it by the end of this little break but I just blame it on William and he can't say no!!


I promise a catch up post on showers and life at 33+ weeks pregnant!  Until then enjoy our materity pictures by the talented DeAnn Arnold.

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31 Weeks

How Far Along: 31 Weeks

Size of baby: a squash

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 22 lbs

Maternity Clothes: yes. Living in LA and being pregnant I bought only 1 pair of pants and a pair of jeans.  Now that my feet are swollen beyond recognition I need to wear shoes and tube socks most days.  I am wearing the crap out of my 1 pair of linen pants and suffering through huge feet on the days that I wear my capri pants and dresses.  So take it from me if you are pregnant in the heat - it is still a good idea to get a few pairs of pants and don't rely only on dresses and crops they look ridiculous with compression socks :)!!

Gender: BOY BOY BOY - So ready to meet William 

Movement: It's slowing down but when he does start going it is pretty intense!  He has a foot/elbow/fists or something in my right rib and it is so very very painful! 

Sleep: pretty good - I just can't seem to get enough of it.

What I miss: my mobility. I can't move like I'm used to, bending to put on shoes, rolling over in bed, playing with the dogs are all becoming a bit more difficult.  This growing boy is getting in the way! 

Cravings: I seem to be getting a bit of my appetite back but I am pretty picky and not a whole lot sounds good yet.

Symptoms: Edema - it sounds so much more interesting than saying I'm swollen.  Feet, ankles, legs and fingers.   

Best Moment This Week: Oh wow, this has been quite a week.  The best moment has been the foot rub I received from my amazing husband last night. He really is the best thing that has ever happened to me!!!

Milestones: This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

What I'm Looking Forward To: heading home to Hesston on the 12th!  We haven't been home since my sisters wedding and I miss my family!  Being pregnant and 10 hours from them is not easy so this flying trip home is the light at the end of the tunnel.  I just wish we had more time with them.