Baby J is soon on the way!

We’ve reached 36 weeks! It’s hard to believe there are only a few weeks left. Josh and I are absolutely ecstatic about meeting our little baby! Here’s the update from my appointment: I’m measuring right at 36 weeks and have so far gained a little over 15 lbs. My Blood pressure is great and baby’s heartbeat sounds strong and healthy. Our doctor predicts that if things continue as they currently are, our baby should arrive right around the due date. She did say, however, not to rely on that prediction as things can change very quickly. She also was guessing that our baby weighs right around 6 lbs. at this point. As she was feeling my belly to check the baby’s position and size, she did comment “wow, you’re really all baby!” No wonder I feel every squirm and squiggle as babu tries to expand his/her ever tightening home. Oh, and the baby is still positioned head down, so that’s good news too!

I have quite the view as I sit here on the rocking chair with my feet up and computer on my lap. My belly is getting pushed outwards on both sides at the same time followed by a series of traveling kicks across the top. One thing I will definitely miss about being pregnant is the incredible feeling of my baby inside me. 

The countdown continues! Time is still flying!

(I’ve never noticed the yellowish-green glow in our house before...weird. Guess we’ll have to try another picture in daylight.)

Do you think he's ready?

As we add more and more baby gear to our supply, Josh keeps making comments like, “I never thought I’d be so excited to buy a stroller” or “This may sound strange, but I’m kind of excited to change a diaper (for the first time, too!).”

Josh is SO excited to be a dad. Look at him try out the Baby Bjorn one of his co-workers is lending us! I can’t wait to see Josh interact with our little baby. He’s going to be great!

baby showers

The past couple of weeks have been busy with baby showers! Thank you to everyone who has generously equipped us with pretty much everything we need for baby! I’ve been really busy so I don’t have the energy to narrate much of what’s been going on, but I’ll attach a few pictures to illustrate. The picture at the top of this post is of my friend Katie and me at her baby shower this past Sunday. Our due dates are exactly one week apart, and both babies are surprises as far as the sex goes. Her shower was a 50s tea party theme, and everyone got to keep their tea cup and saucer as a party favor. Cute idea! 

A Productive Saturday

There was no chance to sleep in for us this Saturday! Our “Preparation for Childbirth” class started at 8am at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. The instructor was great and very knowledgeable. We learned a lot and feel much more comfortable with what lies ahead and what we still need to figure out. The class covered all topics from warnings signs of labor to birth and medications to caring for a newborn. Plus, it was really nice to get a tour of the birth center and the rooms we’ll be in during our stay at the hospital. There were 12 couples in the class, and I found it strange to think of all these babies just hangin’ out while we learn about bringing them into this world. I also found it quite amazing to hear that the hospital delivers over 4,000 babies a year! There was one partner in the group who always asked what seemed to me be immature questions like, “How long until the mom feels up to...you know...(sex)” and “How long should we wait to go on vacation...without the baby?” I was counting my blessings to have a caring and loving husband and daddy-to-be! Our next steps are to get a birth plan ready and decide if we’d like to have a doula with us, especially since the epidural scares me more than giving birth and would like to avoid one if I can! Josh will be a great coach and comforter too. We have our “Coping with Labor” course later in March.

The remainder of the day was spent stroller shopping and then dinner at Punch Pizza. Dinner was delicious. If you’ve never had Punch Pizza, you’ll have to try it out! We made a margherita pizza with prosciutto, basil and feta. We’ve changed our minds on the type of stroller we want and settled on the Bumbleride one below. It’s made very well and comes with lots of options! We found it at the Pacifier in Minneapolis. You’ll have to check out the manufacturer’s website www.bumbleride.com to see all the cool features! Well, it’s time for me to head to work. I hope everyone is having a great weekend! 

Week 30...I can't believe there are just 10 weeks left!

For those of you wanting to see more belly pictures, here is the latest! As I’m writing this, Babu is stretching out his/her little limbs. I love feeling the movements and pressure when he/she is active! It’s hard to believe we’ve already gone through 30 weeks of pregnancy. I’m sure this month is going to fly by too as it is packed full with activities. Josh and I have our Childbirth Preparation and Coping with Labor course later this month, followed by a breastfeeding course in early March. My sister and mom are planning a baby shower on the 27th, and my friends, Jamie and Corynn, are planning a shower for Babu on the 28th! Plus throw Valentine’s Day in there and you’re looking at one busy month. My 30 week appointment is this Friday morning, and if everything continues to go as it has been, it’ll be a quick check-up.

Tomorrow after work, Josh and I are going to pick up some paint for the bookshelf I bought yesterday. I got it from Buck’s Unpainted Furniture in Bloomington, so it’s sturdy and all hardwood. Josh only has 10 weeks left to refinish the nightstand and paint the bookshelf. 10 weeks may seem like plenty of time, but he’s a busy busy guy and is only home one, sometimes two, evenings a week. Once those two things are done, the only thing we need to complete the nursery is a rug! It’s all starting to come together, then all it will need is a baby!