35 Weeks

As the baby continues to pack on the pounds, about a half a pound a week, he is likely at his birth length and won't do much more vertical growing before the big day. Brain development is continuing at a mind-boggling pace, making the baby a little top heavy. Most babies have also settled into their heads down, bottoms up position in mom's pelvis by now, or will soon.

After a whirlwind trip to Nashville this weekend and a couple of days at work, this last week just flew right by. I am getting very anxious to meet the little guy but I know realistically I could have another 6 weeks, which kind of seems unfathomable. 3 weeks sounds so much better! That being said I am hoping to find a dresser this week and put the finishing touches on the nursery. Work has been going fine and those are the days that I have the most contractions, but luckily things have slowed down a little and I don't have to do as much running around as I was doing a few weeks ago. I feel rather large and try not to think about how much bigger I could get if I really do have to wait for this miracle for another 6 weeks. For now, I think that pretty much sums it up! I hope to have more to report next week after my doctor's appointment!

34 Weeks

This week the baby is as tall as 20 inches and may be up to 5 pounds! Other than growing he hasn't been up to much! The soft fur, lanugo, that covered the baby's body for much of his stay in the womb is now almost completely gone. The baby continues to develop his own immune system, instead of relying solely on antibodies received through the placenta. His fat layers are filling out making him nice and plump and will help keep him warm when he makes his debut.


Everything checked out at the doc again this week. The baby is now measuring about a week ahead, which just means he has probably added on a few extra ounces like his mommy has added on a few extra pounds. The doctor said contractions at this point are normal and expected and that I have been making it too easy on him. We have another appointment in two weeks and then from there on out I will go back weekly, but hopefully I won't have to do that for too long!

I had a ball last night watching my parents strategically place the alphabet on the wall in the nursery. It looks great and I think it is really unique and a very special idea for the baby. He will love it!  See facebook for pics!


Our due date is rapidly approaching and I cannot wait to meet him. It has all become very real as we are putting the final touches on his nursery and everything is coming together. In reality he could come at any time, but ideally it would be best if he waited until 37 weeks, but not much after that ;) I have been feeling great and continue to have few complaints. I am increasingly fatigued, but nothing I can't handle and actually find it easier to get through the day without a nap if I just keep moving, but that also means more contractions (especially on work days). If I lay low and keep my feet kicked up I  experience a few or no contractions in a day but find myself fighting those afternoon naps. As soon as Jake and I settle in to watch a little TV it often seems like I am out like a light! I still feel pretty comfortable otherwise. I hope to post a belly pic soon, but my photographer is out of town so stay tuned!

33 Weeks

Wow! The baby and I sure had a lot of fun this last week! We had friends and family in town to celebrate and we couldn't feel more blessed. The outpouring of love and excitement was just overwhelming and I still find myself trying to take it all in. Starting on Friday we had visitors from Nashville. Our friends Travis & Brittany and their 15 month old, Owen came and stayed the weekend with us, as well as Mary Connell and Stephanie, two of my best friends from nursing school. Winning the award for farthest distance traveled goes to my bff who came all the way from new hampshire! I was so excited to spend some time with Kaily even if it meant a late airport pickup and very early drop off and not enough hours in the day to catch up. My cousin Logann probably tied her for distance traveled as she came all the way from Savannah, GA for a soccer tournament that happened to be in Indy.

I couldn't be any happier than when I am surrounded by my friends and family in my home and making them feel welcome. On Friday night we got to hang out and catch up and watch Owen run around the house! His mommy was nice enough to bring outlet covers to start baby proofing my house for me! Late Friday night I got to pick up Kaily from the airport and show her the house and give her lots of hugs! She was pretty obsessed with my baby belly and I decided she has to stick around all the time because she was always giving me compliments ;) I could hardly sleep Friday night despite being pretty tired because I was so excited for Saturday. We had a lovely breakfast of muffins, fruit and coffee and honestly what is better than that when you get to hang out in your pjs with your very best friends? The girls got ready for the shower and I'm not really sure what the boys did to keep themselves occupied.

The shower was absolutely beautiful! My cousin Tiffani and her mama, my aunt Christy, aka Hick threw the most wonderful shower! The sun was shining, they had kiddie cocktails for me and Kelli (Jake's mom) brought a gorgeous cake! Everything was perfect. I appreciated every little detail and all the hands that came together to make it a very special day. After some eating and drinking it was time to open presents and oh my word were there presents! It was almost never ending. Our baby is definitely very much loved and spoiled. His closet is full and he has plenty of toys and books to keep him occupied for a very long time. Jake was also pretty excited about some pretty cool stuff that the baby got, but I have no doubts that his favorite probably include the Metallica lullabies and the model airplane inherited from my uncle Gordon. The gifts were all so personal and thought out and I was really touched. My friends and family know us very well. Each guest also included in their gift a letter of the alphabet that they either designed or bought that will go on the wall in the baby's room for a really awesome collage. My mom, who I think was the brains behind it all, is going to help me place all the letters and I will soon post a pic of how it all looks once we get the few missing letters.

Well after all the shower excitement we decided we probably needed to go and get manis and pedis and beverages before moving the afterparty to my parents house! So surrounded by my very best girlfriends we took over the nail salon. We met up with the boys afterward for a party at my parents house. Again we were surrounded by amazing food and even better company and conversation. We all left with our bellies full! A million thank yous again to all those who helped make it a fabulous weekend. I love each and everyone of you!

This week the baby is gaining weight at an average of a half a week, which means he is likely around 4 and a half pounds at this point. The baby still has plenty of growing to do and may grow a full inch this week alone. He his getting close to maxing out his space in my uterus which explains why some of his pokes and kicks are getting more and more uncomfortable, there is also less amniotic fluid to soften the blows. Antibodies are also being passed from me to the baby as he works to develop his immune system. These antibodies will definitely come in handy on the outside and will protect the baby, along with the strict handwashing rule his crazy mama is going to enforce ;)

I am still feeling pretty good! I find that I do require a few more breaks in the day when I am otherwise go, go, go! I usually know that it is time for these breaks when I feel tightening and contractions. Work is still going pretty good, but I find myself eyeballing the elevator often when I almost always take the stairs. I am trying to remind myself to take it easy, but I feel like I have a lot of loose ends to wrap up. Most things have come together and I know that we are mostly prepared so I try not to worry about it too much. Jake is going on a hunting trip soon and so who knows all the money I can spend and things I can get accomplished while he is gone ;)

32 Weeks

We've made it to the 8th month of pregnancy, which in some ways is hard to believe! This week the baby is tipping the scales at almost 4 pounds and 19 inches long. Not only is he growing like a weed, he is practicing the skills that will prepare him for survival in the outside world, from swallowing and breathing, to kicking and sucking. Speaking of, the baby has been able to suck his thumb for awhile now, but hopefully he hasn't been practicing that too much ;) Another change this week, the baby's skin is no longer see-through. As more fat accumulates under his skin, it grows more opaque. The baby is still pretty active, but his days of somersaults and dance routines are coming to an end as the space inside my womb is rapidly shrinking as he feels it up, and hopefully he settle down in a head down position.

Again not a lot of changes this week. We've been busy running around getting our house ready for guests this weekend and the baby in the coming weeks! I would say that our shower remodel is 95% done! Yay! We just need to get the glass shower door ordered and if I find the time and energy, throw up a fresh coat of paint in the bathroom. The baby's room is still a work in progress. I found some appropriate lighting this weekend and hope to get the last odds and ends sorted out in the coming weeks. I'm having my family and friends baby shower this weekend which I can hardly stand to wait for! I am sure the baby's room will come together quickly and I will have a better idea of what things we still need to get.


I've been feeling great and really have no complaints. I am loving the cooler weather, although my wardrobe is lacking a little bit in the fall gear. Luckily it is easy to stock up on sweaters and cardis that I can wear post pregnancy as well to keep my growing bump warm until the baby comes. I fear my feet may have grown half a size, which is just what I dreaded the most. I don't know if maybe it's because I have been in sandals all summer, but it seems like all my shoes are a little snug. Hopefully it's just swelling or just being unused to having my feet so confined because I have way too many cute kicks to have to trade them all in! I had a doctor's appointment today and everything checked out just fine!