Awaiting the baby.....

I have been off work for about a week and a half. There is not a whole lot going on, since I'm physically not able to do a lot of the things I would like to do (walk for more than 20 minutes, put away the pots and pans in the lower cabinets, tie my shoes....you get the idea.) :) The baby (and belly) continue to grow despite my disbelief that my body can continue to get bigger! The baby moves around a ton, and my sleep patterns are all askew. For that reason alone, I am very grateful to be off work. Sometimes I need to get up at 5am and eat something, then go back to sleep for 3 or 4 hours. This would be impossible if I were having to go to work everyday!

So far, I think Jasen has done more "nesting" than I have.....he took off Monday from work and did a laundry list of organizing around the house. So far, all I have managed to accomplish is cleaning out the two linen closets and some laundry. However, I am quite proud of the newly organized linen closets - ha!

Here is a pictures I just took today! (37 weeks 4 days officially). It looks like anyone who bet on a March delivery date won't be winning the pool! As you can tell, it is beautiful weather here....70s and sunny. So, the last few days I have been lounging in the backyard with Roxy, reading "Natural Baby" and some other books that I know I won't have time for once the baby arrives!

Also, I bought this photo family tree from Target the other day to hang in the baby's room. I thought it would be a really cute way to have photos of all the family in the baby's room.....especially the family we (sadly) won't be seeing so often. So, this is my current project....trying to find photos to add to the tree. I will have to post the finished project.....

Next baby appointment is on Friday! I'll post another update then! :)

36 WEEKS.....

....also known as, Holy Moly that is a big belly! :) (ps- so much for avoiding the no makeup, sweat pant look...ha).

I was officially 36 weeks on Saturday, and my last day of work was last Friday. I'm still teaching University courses, but at least that can be done from the comfort of my sofa. :) We will have our 36 week appointment later today! Thirty-seven weeks is considered full term, and the range in which babies arrive "on time" are three weeks before the due date to two weeks after. So, I am about five days from being within that range. Very exciting! Since I am off work, my to-do list involves finishing up baby laundry, re-organizing the baby's room, cleaning out some linen closets, and making yummy food for dinner (that is for Jasen who is still working). Also, don't forget NAPPING anytime that I want. :)

Our last baby class is tonight, so we are both excited about that as the class has been very very informative. I have to say that most people that see the belly are still thinking it is a boy. There are a few who think girl, but they are few and far between. We have chosen both a girl and boy name, but will be saving that as part of the surprise when the baby arrives!

My co-workers threw me a baby shower last Thursday, so I think we have pretty much everything we need now! Everyone has been so generous with their gifts! I can't wait to post finished pictures of the baby's room...maybe in a week or so! My Mom is still working on the water color paintings, and the first one is done-it turned out beautiful!

1 week left of work.....

So I am currently less interested in the fact that the baby's due date is only 5 weeks away, and more interested in the fact that I only have one more week left of work! Not that I don't like my job (because I do), but it is exponentially more difficult carrying around a 6 lb human trying to get my job done. Yes, 6 lbs! At our last visit on Friday, Alison estimated the baby's weight at 6-61/2 lbs! She is not predicting the baby's weight at time of delivery, as she says that is unrealistic to do since all babies grow at different rates- and because she obviously doesn't know when this baby will decide to greet us. :) At any rate, the baby is very healthy. :)

So, I am hoping that the baby stays pretty much on track as expected (around or about April 16) since I am looking forward to 4 glorious weeks of time off to relax, unwind, and finish up all the "nesting" around the house. I promised Jasen, however, that I would at least make dinner most nights. I guess I'll set my alarm clock for that - ha! Honestly, I don't know how women work right up until their due date. Obviously, I understand that some women just can't take off extra time for financial reasons, but I'm right now feeling very strongly that I need some down time between work ending and baby arriving.

I had every intention of taking a 34 week photo, but then somehow didn't get around to it. Here is a 35 + 1 day photo that I took. It is of the bare belly. :) No full shot today, since it is a lazy Sunday. I'm hoping to get one during the week when I'm not wearing sweats.

Also, here are some photos of some of the wonderful gifts we have received. The blanket was hand knitted by a friend from work, and the pattern is called "Tree of Life." I hope you can see the pattern in this picture- the blanket is absolutely beautiful. Then there is the twilight turtle that Meggo gave us, and it is a night light - so cool. With some of the gift cards we received, we bought a rock n' play sleeper. Complicated name for a very simple little baby sleeper. It has gotten rave reviews and came highly recommended by a friend of Meg's. I think it looks super comfy and wish they came in adult size. :) Then, here is also a picture of the baby jogger stroller from John and Lisa  - can't wait to try that out!

The baby's room is almost done. Jasen and Andrew put up the ceiling fan last weekend, and all the furniture is in place. As soon as I have things organized, I'll post some pictures. It  actually turned out much better than I had even imagined, with the tight budget we set.

More pictures to come.....

California Baby Shower!

Last weekend Meghan and Shari hosted a baby shower in my honor. :) It was a really wonderful shower, with beautiful decorations and delicious food! Kristy and Vicki unfortunately could not make it down the hill due to some bad weather, and another friend of ours couldn't make it due to the flu. But it was a nice turnout and the games were entertaining! Meghan made a wonderful cake and some delicious appetizers! Shari brought some neat gift prizes for the games and some yummy sandwiches! Everyone was so generous with their gifts, and Jon and Lisa bought us an amazing jogger stroller! I was so excited to receive such a nice stroller! We are so grateful for such wonderful friends and family!

Meghan also gave us two really special children's books, signed by the author. One is about the year of the rabbit, which is the year our baby will be born. I posted some pics here, but to see more click on this link. By the way, I am 33 weeks in these pictures. Honestly, I am wondering how much bigger I can get!