Baby Shower (hosted by friends) Pics

My sweet hostesses minus Lauren who got sick and Katie who "hosted from afar" :)

My fellow prego friends--yea! so excited to "bump bellies" with Rachael & Sara!!!

Ash, Amanda, & me--Manic Monday friends!!!

My aunts, grandmother, mom, & me

GREAT friends :)

38 Weeks

Finished and ready, hooray! We have checked everything off of our "to do" list and now we're just waiting for little Owen to get here.

An amazing (and by amazing, I mean amazingly awkward) thing happened to me yesterday that I must share...

First, let me say that I do not have a problem with people that I know touching my belly. I do find it slightly odd that people think that a pregnant tummy is public property, but if I know you—touch away if you feel so inclined. However, it does weird me out when complete strangers try to lay their hands on my midsection. If I sense that someone that I've never met before is contemplating an unwanted gesture such as this, I casually and discretely pull one of my arms across my belly. This move has been my standard "no touch please" signal through the duration of my pregnancy, a signal that up until yesterday, had always proved itself highly effective. Well, yesterday during church was a completely different story.

I turned around to say hello to a woman during the greeting—a woman that before this moment, I had never seen in my life. Much to my dismay, I could see in her eyes that she was about to make her move. Before she could do so, my arm went up and I achieved a successful block...or so I thought. Astonishingly enough, this woman made an attempt to move my arm off of my own belly so that she could access it. Due to the shock and bewilderment of the events playing themselves out before me, I was temporarily stunned and my arm remained firmly planted across my stomach. A slight struggle, perhaps only evident to the two of us, ensued and this strange woman’s effort to remove my arm from where it laid draped across my own body proved futile. I gave a quick, uncomfortable smile, mumbled something incoherent, and quickly turned around to greet someone else. Talk about a whole new meaning for the word STRANGEr…

That has to be the weirdest thing that has happed during my pregnancy thus far.

38 Weeks: Still a Freak-sized Cucumber
Only about two more weeks before your baby makes his appearance--and what an adorable appearance that will be! Your little one isn't so little anymore — weighing in at close to 7 pounds and hitting the height charts at the 21-inch mark (or less).

As you prepare for baby's ETA, he is also getting ready, big time. Vernix and lanugo continue to shed from your baby's body into the amniotic fluid. Your baby swallows that amniotic fluid and some of it winds up in his intestines where it—along with other shed cells, bile, and other waste products—will turn into your baby's first bowel movement (meconium) and perhaps your first diaper change.

Your baby's lungs continue to mature as more and more surfactant is secreted (remember — it helps prevent the lungs from sticking to each other when your baby begins to breathe…definitely a good thing). All systems, almost go!

hmmm, "full term"?! I just don't get it...

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times--I just don't GET the numbers that are thrown out during pregnancy, they are so confusing! The latest oddity to add into the mix is that babies are considered "full term" at 37 weeks (um, yeah, that would be right now). If he's full term now, then why are there 3 more weeks until my due date? I understand the logisics of it--he's practicing getting "ready for the outside world", building up more fat for protection, yada, yada, yada...but if it's better that he stay in there until 40 weeks, then why are babies considered full term at 37? Oh the silliness that comes along with being pregnant...

All that said, I have quit trying to make sense of these tricky numbers because when it comes down to it, this baby's gonna come when he's ready no matter what my "numbers" say. Thus I arrive at a conclusion-->numbers don't mean squat. Which is pretty ironic considering that's pretty much all people focus on and ask me about these days regarding this little guy ;)

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Oh, and one more thing, in case you're still not sure about how I arrived at my conclusion: according to my doctors, I will be 40 weeks pregnant on February 28, yet they have never "officially" changed my due date from March 4. Last time I checked, that's 5 days later--almost an entire week. When I asked my doctor about it he said, "eh, it's just an estimation anyways," which obviously I know, but still, when it's all you have to go on...

Alas, just another case in point on why numbers don't matter.

Moving right along...

The photo session with Cori went really well last weekend. I know that she got some great shots and I can't WAIT to see them :) It was a whole lot of fun and I'm so excited to see the end product once she's done putting her finishing touches on them!

My poor Tony has been sick ALL WEEK :*( He started feeling kinda run down last Sunday night during the Super Bowl, went to work on Monday, and then by Monday afternoon he was feeling pretty crummy. He's been running a fever and has had some terrible congestion--it sounds like he's on the verge of coughing up a lung any second! He's headed to the doctor today though so hopefully they'll get him feeling better soon.

I have 2 baby showers this weekend and I am SO excited! On Saturday my very sweet friends are having a baby shower brunch for me at Emilie's house. Incidences of getting the whole crew together are few and far between and I can't wait to see my girls :) I have a feeling that it's going to be a VERY FUN and EXCITING day!!! On Sunday, Elisa (Tony's aunt) is hosting a shower for me at her house. It should be a very nice time, I am looking forward to that one as well.

37 weeks: Um, a cucumber...? I've NEVER seen a 6 lb cucumber in my life, but ok, we'll go with it....

With just 3 more weeks to go and at about 6 ½ pounds, your baby is doing just fine. You can expect weight gain to be about half an ounce per day.—boys, though, are likely to be heavier at birth than girls. Since your little one is considered full-term now, if your baby was to leave the wet nest this week, he would likely thrive. That's because Mother Nature and you have done such a fine job.

So what's keeping your little one busy while waiting it out until D-day? Practice, practice, practice. Your baby is simulating breathing by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, sucking on his thumb, blinking, and pivoting from side to side (one day you feel the tushy on the left side, another day it has swung around to the right side). All these are skills needed for his next gig — starring as newborn.

Here's an interesting fact: Your baby's head (which, by the way, is still growing) will, at birth, be the same size circumference as his hips, abdomen, and shoulders. And guess what's making an impression (literally) these days on those shoulders and hips: fat — causing little dimples in those cute elbows and knees, shoulders and hip, and creases and folds in the neck and wrists

36 Weeks--the Homestretch begins...

Good grief...speaking of stretching, my body feels stretched to the max! Yet, somehow, in the next 4 weeks it will find a way to continue to share with this ever growing baby...either that, or I'm gonna be the first woman ever to deliver a baby via a popping belly! I can definitely feel that Owen has dropped some--especially when I'm exercising. There's quite a lot of pressure that's building up on my bladder these days. ...and I thought I had to pee a lot before! I could go on with the various "joys of pregnancy", but I'm afraid I'm starting to sound like an 80 year old woman listing all her ailments ;) At no time have I ever felt like it hasn't been worth it though. I know that as soon as I hold my son in my arms that all the backaches and stuffy noses will be forgotten!

Tony and I finished most everything on our "to do list" last weekend **pause and sigh with relief**. The nursery is complete! What a great feeling to have that checked off the list and know that Owen's room is ready in waiting for the little guy to come home to! I also finished making his diaper bag, washed some of his clothes, and did some packing for the hospital. All that's left are the things that can't go into the bag until the last minute anyway (toilitries, etc.). The carseat did not get installed last weekend, but Tony does plan on tackling that this weekend.

Tomorrow my sweet & VERY talented friend, Cori, is taking some pregnancy pictures for both Brianne and me. I can't wait to see how they turn out, she's a very talented photographer and I'm super excited to get these done! I shall post some of them when I get them back for sure.

This Sunday is the Super Bowl. The neighborhood ladies are headed to our 2nd Annual Girls Night Out for cheese & chocolate at the Melting Pot and then back to watch the rest of the game with the guys! I'm looking forward to yummy fondue, my favorite! :) I am neither a Patriots fan or a Giants fan so I don't care who wins, but the commercials will be fun to watch.

Here are some pics of Owen's FINISHED Nursery, Yahoo!..

...and finally me, 9 Months Pregnant--ALMOST finished :)
36 weeks: 4 to go!
Your baby is now about 6 pounds in weight and measures slightly more than 20 inches in length. Growth will experience a slowdown now, both so your baby will be able to fit the narrow passageway to the outside and also so he can store up all the energy needed for delivery.

Your baby's skull isn't the only soft structure in his little body. Most of your baby's bones and cartilage are quite soft as well (they'll harden over the first few years of life) — allowing for an easier journey as your baby squeezes through the birth canal at delivery (and less prodding and poking for Mom along the way). The skull bones are also not fused together yet so that the head can easily maneuver through the birth canal.

By now, many of your baby's systems are pretty mature, at least in baby terms — and just about ready for life on the outside. Blood circulation, for instance, has been perfected and your baby's immune system has matured enough to protect him from infections outside the womb. Other systems, however, still need a few finishing touches. Once such notable example: digestion — which actually won't be fully mature until sometime after birth. Why's that? Inside his little gestational cocoon, your baby has relied on the umbilical cord for nutrition, meaning that the digestive system — though developed — hasn't been operational. So your baby will take the first year or two to bring that system up to speed.

35 Weeks

I'm almost over my cold now--still quite tired, but I'm breathing better now so that's good! This weekend is going to be a big "preparation weekend" for Tony & me. We plan to finish painting Owen's bookshelf and put it in his room as well as organize all of the fun gear, clothing, and other stuff we've gotten for Owen at recent showers. I've added a few new details to the nursery recently--some painted letters, a cross, and a few other things--so hopefully I'll also find some time to take some new pictures and post them next week. We're also going to pack our hospital bags and hopefully install the carseat. I also plan to finish sewing Owen's diaper bag & get some of his clothes washed. I'm sure there are a few more things I just can't think of right now that will sneak their way on the "to do list" as well :) Hopefully this list will get accomplished, I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

The other night I woke up in the middle of the night for a potty break and when I came back to bed Owen was quite active--not unusual in the least, he almost always wakes up and starts moving around about 3am or so--but this time the movements felt a little bit different. It was almost like he was moving to a beat or something--then I realized, he had the hiccups! It was quite comical and I almost woke up Tony so he could feel (but then decided he probably wouldn't appreciate a 3am wake up call!) so I just layed there for a little bit feeling these rhythmic movements until he finally stopped and I went back to sleep. I'm sure he's probably had them before, but this was the first time I'd felt them and identified what they were so I was quite amused.

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35 Weeks: Only 5 left!

At about 20 inches and about 5 ½ pounds, most of your baby's growth over the next month before you meet will be in weight (with a gain of anywhere from 1 pound to several), not height--baby's pretty much reached the in utero limit in that department. Accordingly, baby’s fat continues to accumulate at a rapid pace these days. Back in the middle of your pregnancy, your baby's weight was made up of only 2% fat; now that percentage has soared to closer to 15 % and will increase to 30 % at term. Which means your baby's once skinny arms and legs are now quite plump…and irresistibly, squeezably soft.

Also continuing to grow at an amazing pace is your baby's brain power. Luckily, the part that surrounds that amazing brain — the skull — remains soft. And for good reason: A soft skull will allow your baby to squeeze more easily through the birth canal.

Silly Margo!!!

I just HAD to share this picture of my crazy dog! Last night I was doing my pregnancy yoga video and Margo curled up and laid down right next to me...she was trying to get me to scratch her belly, but it looked like she was doing leg lifts with me. I coudn't stop laughing and I called for Tony to take this photo op...

Mountain Weekend

Pictures from our Mountain Weekend in Little Switzerland, NC--January 18-21, 2008

Cabin, Sweet Cabin

Sittin' by the fire :)

Lots of reading & napping on the couch for me!

Football for Tony (of course!)

Hiking in the snow

All bundled up--it was cold!

A few pictures on the porch...Sunset in the Mountains!!!

34 Weeks

A little late with the 34 week posting (what else is new?) but here's what's been going on...

This past Wednesday, some of my mom's friends had a surprise Grandmother Shower for her and it was a lot of fun. I had never heard of this before, but it was such a cute idea. They showered her with gifts to prepare for Owen to come and visit his grandparents' house. Some of the gifts included a few bottles, bibs, toys, pacifiers, some onesies, baby lotion, etc. They also went in together and got my mom a bouncer. Here are a few pictures of the shower...

A bib for "Mum's" House

Mama checking out her new bouncer...her friend Valerie was explaining the ropes :)

Some of mama's great friends & neighbors

Nikki--the AWESOME hostess

On Friday, Tony and I headed on one last trip before baby to my aunt & uncle's cabin in Little Switzerland, NC. We had a very relaxing long weekend reading by the fire, watching movies, hiking in the snow, napping (well, I napped--Tony watched football!) and we even took a day trip to Blowing Rock for lunch and a little bit of window shopping. It was quite cold up there--6 degrees on Sunday (!) but we had a lot of fun. We just got back yesterday so I will have to upload and post pictures of our trip later this week. It was such a nice, MUCH needed getaway and we are so glad that we took the trip. I did come back with a bit of a cold or something (boo!) I'm just not feeling 100%, but it's not too bad.

34 Weeks: The Honeydew Streak Continues...

Your baby could be as tall as 20 inches right now and about 5 pounds. Baby’s senses are continuing to improve -- when light peeks in through your belly, those tiny eyelids and irises blink and dilate and, baby can now recognize and react to simple songs… time to start practicing your lullabies! This week his testicles are making their way down from his abdomen to his scrotum. Your baby's fingernails now reach the end of the fingertips and may even curl over the tip. Growth is starting to slow, and baby may start descending into your pelvis at the end of this month.

1st Baby Shower!!!

Last Sunday, my dear friends Courtney, Stacey, & Cori threw Brianne and me a joint baby shower. Brianne and my due dates are 8 days apart & we're both having boys--Xan and Owen who will just be the best of friends...fun! fun! We invited our sweet neighborhood friends and some of our family too. We had such a nice time and our sweet hostesses did an absolutely WONDERFUL job...the food was great, the decorations were cute, and all the details were perfect. Courtney had an emergency with her dog and was unable to make it to the actual shower so she's not in the pictures, but she was a huge part of the entire thing. I am so grateful and blessed to have such AWESOME friends...I LOVE YOU LADIES!!!

Brianne & me--about to start opening gifts!

The lovely hostesses (minus Courtney)--they made us "bump" bellies, haha!

My mama & me

Me with my mama & my mother in law, Kelly

Some of our neighborhood friends

NEW Camera :)

Hooray, hooray! I got a new camera with some of my Christmas money...the Nikon D40 and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!! I cannot WAIT to take pictures of my precious baby Owen when he gets here :) Here are a few pictures of my family & I that we took when we went walking at Kennesaw Mountain one day behind the property where mom & dad are building their new house...

a great one of my parents

Heidi--my sweet family dog

Margo--she only LOOKS innocent!

Tony & Me

Matt, Mom, & Dad