One year ago

One year ago today (the Monday after Thanksgiving), I woke up and knew I was pregnant.  It wasn't just a hunch.  I had taken a test the Saturday morning following Thanksgiving before my family and I piled into the car and headed to Iowa for the weekend.  I knew, but I waited to say anything to anyone (including my husband) just to be sure.  Because guess what...I'm just that kind of girl where I like to make sure 4 eh 5 times....

One year ago today, I went to work with a feeling of anxiousness to call my OBGYN and tell her I think I'm pregnant and see what was next.  When I called and they told me I was 5 weeks pregnant already, I was very shocked (I was pretty much clueless about being pregnant and solely focused on getting pregnant at that point).  I remember walking into an empty conference room, closing the door and making the call.  December 14 was the day my appointment was made.

One year ago today, I pretty much sat at work thinking about how I'm pregnant.  I didn't feel any different (besides my boobs being a little sore), but I knew my life was going to change.

One year ago today, I rushed home from work and took a bunch of silly pictures, loaded them to my computer, put words on them, told Jimmy I had to work on homework upstairs and to not bother me.  He obliged and sat downstairs watching TV.  I was not doing homework...sneaky me.  I was putting together a slideshow of pictures of us throughout our relationship and then putting the pregnancy pictures with my silly face at the end.

One year ago today, I remember that feeling of walking down the stairs and handing Jimmy our computer and telling him to watch the slideshow.  I remember him asking me if this was the same slideshow he had made for me the previous Christmas (umm...no!!).  I remember it getting to the end and watching is face as the pictures with words popped up telling him...guess what?  I'm pregnant.

One year ago today, I remember the look on his face.  I will never forget it.  He was smiling ear to ear.  He jumped up to hug me in our family room.  The Christmas decor was up already and it was cold outside.  I remember hugging so hard it hurt.  Because we were so excited.  Then we sat on the couch and talked about how crazy it was and "OMG - our lives are going to change".

One year ago today, we went to bed together and snuggled a lot.  As a family of three.


Today, we will get up and go to work, but this time, we'll have our sweet baby Charlie to wake up and get ready for the day.

Today, I will sit at work not thinking about how I'm pregnant, but will be thinking about how Charlie is doing.  Being thankful that he's feeling better and not as congested and wondering if he is having a good day and eating enough.

Today, we will go home to work together but make an extra stop on the way home than we did last year to pick up our sweet boy at school.  And when we walk into his room and say his name and he looks over at us and smiles - my heart will melt.  And I will fall in love with him all over again, just like I do every time I see him.

Today, we will get home from work and doing our "normal" routine of feeding Charlie, eat dinner, play with Charlie, bath time, story time and bed time.  All together as a family of three.

Today, we will get in bed together and snuggle a lot - with a faint glow in our room of the monitor watching our sweet little boy.  And if he wakes up in the middle of the night, we will be thankful for him.  Thankful that he blessed us with more love than we could ever imagine and more smiles than we thought possible.  We will be thankful that one year ago today, we became* a family of three.

Thank you Charlie for turning our world upside down with love and laughter and happiness.  I'm so happy that when I go to bed tonight, you will be sleeping soundly in the room across the hall and I'll be ready to comfort you, feed you, love you whenever you need me.

Our little family of 3 on Thanksgiving

*ok - so we really "became" a family of three like 3 or 4 weeks before this I know now...but just go with it.  It was the first time I decided to loop Jimmy in on the big news, so just go with it... haha.

Pregnancy progress in pictures

Because I did make sure to take a picture every week - I had to put together a total view of my pregnancy progress. It's funny looking back and reading all the notes and saying "I finally look pregnant" halfway through to at the end being like "can I get any bigger?".  It was fun to document and even more fun to look back with my little man in my arms.  Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!!  Not sure if I will be able to be this dedicated the next time around, but we shall see.  That won't be for awhile though ;)

PS Don't cut your hair when you are pregnant.  I'm dying for longer hair again...

 

Guess what??

My ankles are BACK!!!  At the time when I was super pregnant and super hot and super uncomfortable, I really never thought I would see them again.  My doctor did warn me after labor that they would probably get worse after he was born before they got better and they did.  And they hurt a lot.  But I am so excited that my tennis shoes fit comfortably again.  Wahoo!!

Before - "super pregnant"

After - not pregnant anymore and toting around a newborn!!

So I will say for those our there that have severe swelling like I did - enough that my doctor was ready to put me into labor - it goes away eventually.  Just be patient.  Easier said than done I know.  One body part back to to "normal", now just waiting for the rest (haha, if you have had a baby you will understand this one...)

Week 40 and Week 41!!!

Since Charlie was born just one day before my official "40 week" mark- here is a picture I snapped on our way out the door to the hospital with him!

My last belly pic of my pregnant with him!!!  (WOW - looking back at this picture and what my stomach looks like now, makes me rethink how I keep feeling bad I had stomach pooch left.  I was a big mama, but makes sense because I had a BIG boy inside me!)

So to commemorate his one week birthday now (that's week 41 if you are not catching on), here's a picture of me WITH Charlie, but not inside my belly anymore!! He's pretty stinking cute!!

I cannot believe its already been a week!! Here we were just one week ago today....

I've been trying keep track of the events and all the visitors, but the days seem to fly by and this mama is much happier when she gets a nap in since my body wasn't accustomed to getting up to feed a baby every 2 hrs!! I'm excited that we made it through his first week ok and are starting to get the hang of things a bit more but at the same time I want time to move slower. I want to savor every sweet look he gives me, remember every wrinkle on his face and neck, remember his cry when he just wants his mom to hold him, remember those funny faces and NOISES that he makes and then the big "tootsie" comes (aka what we are calling a huge baby fart/shart) and never ever forget a moment that I get to spend with him. While I have gotten a little frustrated with nursing, I'm hanging in there and do is he, which makes me feel good with each day he's progressing and confident that we will get better!! But as frustrating as those moments are, those times at night when he's all mine again (like he was when I was pregnant) might be those most special!!

So with that, HAPPY ONE WEEK BIRTHDAY CHARLIE!!  We love you so much and have completely turned our world upside down in such a good way we could never imagine.  You are so freaking cute we pretty much cannot stand it and just like to stare at you all the time.  I'm so glad your dad got to stay home the rest of this week until he goes back to work as we continue to get adjusted and fall in love with you even more.  Here's to many more wonderful milestones and moments with you!

This is pretty much our house everyday and we love it!  We are going to miss your dad SO much next week, but we will have to make it work and will visit him lots at work over lunch time!!

Surreal

While I originally wasn’t a big fan of this whole induction thing, there is something very surreal (meaning: a surreal mix of fact and fantasy) about knowing when you will arrive,  little man.  It makes me look at everything just a little bit differently. 

Just a few of the things I do not want to forget in these final hours before the hospital:

• leaving work last Friday afternoon knowing that the next time I walk in that building, I will be holding you versus you hanging out inside my belly
• going to church on Sunday for the last time baby-less (but do not worry – you had quite the impact on your mom, like how she randomly cried when the lady next to her asked when you were arriving and said she and her friend would say lots of extra prayers for us, when she doesn’t even know us.  I just thought that was so kind – and these hormones make me cry)
• knowing that last night when your dad and I went out to dinner (to his favorite Japanese steakhouse) would be the last time we would go out to dinner together and not have to worry about a baby sitter or bring you along
• getting all the wonderful text messages/phone calls/emails/facebook messages/etc. from all the people telling us how excited they are to meet you!!!  You are one loved little boy already and it’s pretty special
• going through your hospital bag one more time and cramming a few more things in there “just in case” you need them
• walking into your nursery, knowing that in just a few days you will be here to enjoy all these things
• looking around our super clean house – knowing that it will NEVER be this clean probably ever again
• being completely ok with the house never being this clean again because that means you will be a part of our lives
• trying to explain to your dog brother and sister how they should act when you come home to meet them (well, that will be interesting)
• laying in bed this morning with your dad and all the dogs in complete silence…thinking about how crazy it is that it will never ever be this quiet in our house again
• being perfectly ok with not having this morning silence again because that means you will be a part of our lives (yep, keep thinking this...)
• thinking about you constantly and hoping you are ok and ready (I know you are) and then when I think about you, you move around…it’s like you can tell what I’m thinking and give me that reassurance that you ARE ok and you ARE ready
• kissing your dad goodbye this morning and sending him off to work for the last time as just a married guy.  Next time he goes back, he’ll be your dad and that’s all he’ll talk about at work, I’m sure of it

Wow little man.  You have already changed my world, my perspective and most importantly my heart in so many ways I cannot even describe it.  I cannot wait to experience that feeling of pulling out of our driveway tonight and heading to the hospital, knowing that the next time we pull back into the driveway will all be together.  Our little family coming home.  I literally thought about this day when we were looking buying this house over 3 years ago, and I can tell you this – we have transformed this house into a home and it’s ready for you and so are we.

P.S. One thing I do want back after your arrival – my ability to not cry at everything!!!  Jeez – I’m balling my eyes out just writing this, I cannot imagine what it will be like seeing you for the first time.  Surreal.  But will be all so real very soon.

39 weeks and the highs and lows recap

We are going to the hospital TOMORROW night people if this baby has not decided he's ready to make his appearance to the world on his own.  I have to say he seems like his dad in this way and doesn't mind arriving late/making an entrance in terms of timing.  Not that he's technically "late yet" by any means, but according to the doctor we are measuring 1.5-2 weeks ahead, so this boy is fully cooked and ready to grace his presence with the outside world.

Yesterday morning we were running some last minute errands and we stopped at Kohl's for some non-baby related things and the lady checking us out so politely asked when I was due.  And when I said Tuesday - she said "Oh my goodness, I knew it was soon because you both (referring to me and my huge, low hanging stomach) look so ready".  If ready is I'm pretty much over many things about being pregnant and he's dropped so low and gotten so big and popped out in the front that none of my maternity shirts fit anymore...then yes, we are ready.

It's funny because I was telling Jimmy today I remember seeing Emily when she was at the end with Jackson at our gender reveal party and she was at that point.  The point of "yep, I'm pregnant, yep, super pregnant, yep, he can come any day, yep, I couldn't be more excited for him to get here".  Well, we're there.  Here is a list that I made so I won't forget.  I won't forget the bad...but also I won't forget the good.  There are (believe it or not) some things that I really liked about being pregnant.  I know we do want to have more kids - so while I'm pretty miserable right now, I cannot forget what a blessing and complete miracle this whole process has been.  So here you have the HIGHS and the LOWS.

Actually, the "getting to drink a beer and enjoy the fall weather" is really something I am looking forward too.  Oops - I think my brain messed up when I was writing that.  Sorry, I'm not changing the image because I'm tired.  You understand, right?  Yep, that's what I thought....

I am going to skip the whole thing that I usually have done because I have no idea how big you are - but I think they said the fruit/veggie comparison is a pumpkin.  And I believe it.  Someone said it looked like I put a volleyball under my shirt - but a pumpkin is about the same, right?  So I believe it.

Am I nervous?  A little.  I really feel like this pregnancy thing has been so good for me.  It's crazy because so many of the things I thought I would be crazy and typical control-freak-Brittany about, I have actually been very calm about.  Labor and delivery...yep, I have no control over that.  That is in the doctor's hands and God's hands.  The good news is - I trust both of them a lot.  I'm nervous, but I just hope and pray that this little boy comes out screaming his lungs out and is big and healthy and all ours.  And that this mama is feeling as good as she can at the end.  That's my hope.

What have we been up to this weekend?  Well - I wasn't sure if you were going to actually stay inside all the way until this date, but as of 9PM on Sunday night, you are still hanging inside with no contractions, so my guess is that you'll hang out for at least 24 more hours??  Who knows - but it has given your dad and I some time to go out to eat (a lot), run errands that we needed to run, stare at each other and say 14 times "OMG - we are having a baby in X days and going to be parents", completely finish the nursery (including some pretty awesome signs with your dog brothers and sister and the mirror - oh yes, the mirror we have been waiting for), clean the house, finish accessorizing the new bathroom, wash some more of your clothes, pack our bags one last time, stock the fridge and go out to a Japanese steakhouse one last time and got the whole table to ourselves.  Yes, it was a productive weekend and now we are officially ready.  All the things that I had on my "nice to have done list" - they are done.  You can come now.  Any time little man.  But if you still aren't ready, sorry we are going to make you come on Tuesday.  I still cannot believe it.

We took one last "family" picture this morning of our little family of 5 before your arrival this morning before church and before we officially become a family of 6 and are parents.  Sorry for the swollen eyes.  Oh I cannot wait to look back on these pictures....haha.

Parents.  Oh man.  I can't wait to see your face, pick your name and hold you oh so close.  Bring it on little baby!!!

PS I spoiled myself with a pedicure today and what color did I get??  Baby blue - for my sweet baby boy!!!

Nesting time

Well the countdown has begun and this mama-to-be is trying to get everything organized and ready for this little man's arrival.  Only 6 more days MAX before we meet him!!

I was talking to my friend Vanessa a few weeks ago about organizing baby clothes in a dresser.  I hadn't really thought about that before...but then when I was looking for some clothes/onesies for him to wear at the hospital and when he gets home that I was going to wash - what a mess it was!  Just with all the wonderful presents we got from people in all different sizes...I knew I needed a plan of action to make it easier for me or Jimmy to grab this baby boy some clothes.  And also for when Jimmy is putting laundry away for him to know where things go (yes Jimmy, you will be doing things like that).  So I needed to divide the drawers.  I looked up some stuff on pinterest, but then just ended up looking out in our garage and finding the box from our car seat.  So one Thursday night when Jimmy was at softball night...I went to work.

I cut the cardboard to fit in the drawers (put it in the top 2 drawers of the dresser and left the bottom two open).

Decided to make good use of some left over fabric...and apparently Milly and Willy wanted to help out as well or they were just curious as to what was going on.

Then I cut up the fabric to be about the size of the cardboard...cut some slits in the cardboard in the middle so they would go on top of each other and there you have it.

Simple, cheap and easy way to get some nursery drawer dividers.  I still need to finish my labeling and putting them in the right places - but if this baby boy waits to come and gives his mama this weekend to finish organizing things - I will make sure and do that.  If not, I can always do it later!!

But now I have the perfect spot in his dresser for adorable things like his TINY socks (OMG I died when I got these out of the washer - SO small and cute!!!)

And some adorable onesies that he's gotten from his friends all over the country!!  His soon-to-be-girlfriend, baby Calcara, sent up this K-State onesie from Houston so he and she would have matching ones to wear during football season.  So cute!!

His friends in Denver, the Griffins, also sent a pretty freaking cute onesie with suspenders and a tie! LOVE these!!

But this nesting/organization urge didn't stop in the nursery.  Last weekend it extended to our guest bathroom closet which was a complete mess!!  There were so many random things just stacked in it and it was gross and underutilized.  For some reason I got this urge on Sunday morning to wake up, take everything out, organize it into groupings (and throw lots of stuff away too), and then drag Jimmy to Dollar Tree with me  - by the way, they have the best and cheapest baskets...only $1! - and there you have it.  With some green painters tape and some labels printed off - bathroom closet organization at it's finest.  It was nice because it even got some of the baby's bath stuff out of the nursery and by the bathroom where it belongs!!!

From all the fun we had over the weekend and all the standing I did when I probably shouldn't have been due to my feet - Milly, Willy and I took a break on Monday night.  I skipped my last session of summer school (don't worry, I had a free pass to miss and I already had turned everything in) and plopped down on the couch to watch the bachelor pad with Jimmy and work on getting all my work stuff organized for maternity leave.  I think these little pups sure know how to make their mom feel better.  Milly kept licking my fat little sausage legs and toes....as weird as that is, it did make me feel a little better.  The swelling has not gone down for the record.  Waiting for that still...

So what has Jimmy been doing while I go into crazy person/organization mode??  He has been a great help in picking up last minute things with me and also working with my dad to move all our internet and cable cords that were in the nursery to another location.  So you know, just working in the attic...haha.  But he has been a big help and I think he's getting just as excited as me (however, he doesn't get the latter part of this statement as much as I do..."I'm excited to meet our baby AND not be huge anymore")!!  We went over to Bobby and Hillary's house last Saturday night and they were SO sweet and made us a delicious dinner of fried chicken, mash potatoes, green beans, a cucumber and onion salad that I had pinned (how sweet is that!!!??  She found it on my pin board and made it!).  And to top it off had some homemade berry cobbler too.  It was delicious!!  But then to top off the night - Bobby gave Jimmy a present for the baby!!

The baby's own Phi Slamma Jamma onesie.  OMG - it is so cute!!  I love it so much! I love that it's 12 month size, but I also wish we could bring him home from the hospital in it because it's that cute.  And Hillary said Bobby designed it all himself.  What a great younger brother!!!

38 weeks and the DATE

Well baby boy, you and I and your dad - we've come a long way.  This week was a big week for us!!!  Why??  Because at our doctor's appointment this last Tuesday, we learned you were about 7lbs (or 7.5?) and moving further and further down into your mama's pelvis (which I knew you were headed further down because guess what??  It's not that comfortable for me, as I'm sure it's not so great for you!).  We also learned that your mom GAINED 7lbs in just one week (YIKES!!).  Which that made our doctor pretty nervous.  Especially at our 4PM appointment she got to see in person the way my feet/legs look every day at the end of the day and just how swollen they are.  She was funny and made me feel better saying she's pretty sure that all 7lbs went right into my legs an feet in the form of fluid (she said that while she was squeezing my fat little sausage and fluid-filled legs).  A girl that I work with did make me feel better when she said - "hey, it's easier to lose fluid versus fat, right?".  So true my friend.  And as hard as that was to swallow....that did make me feel better.

So right there in the doctor's office she initiated THE conversation.  The conversation about how we felt about setting a date.  Your birthday actually.  Well only your birthday if you don't decide to come sooner.  But it came along with the dreaded word - induction.  I did think and do hope that you little boy choose to come on your own, but we made the decision to scoot you along into this world for both you and your mama.  What is that day?  Well, we will got to the hospital on Monday, July 30 at 8PM and then get the party started the morning of July 31st...and hopefully that will be the day!!  In talking to our doctor, which we trust a lot, we all felt very good about the situation.  Apparently I have Stage 3 edema swelling on my feet and legs (which the max is a 4) and because I'm pretty much in pain walking around all day, we decided it is good for all of us to set a date and get it going because you are ready, fully cooked and going to be a big baby (so she says).  Apparently my body is just not ready yet with no contractions or dilation, but 75% effaced.  And that was it.  When we walked out, it was just so crazy to think that:

1) we might not make it to our next doctor's appointment (but for the record it's this upcoming Tuesday, so we are likely going to make it there)...and
2) we had a date on the calendar when we get to meet you!!  OMG

So many emotions.  Fear, excitement, anxiety...but most of all just overwhelming love.  Thinking of the moment when your dad and I get to meet you and hold you in our arms.  After all this preparation for the last 9.5 months, we are ready.  I am ready.  We are thrilled you are ready and healthy and probably so stinking cute.  We literally cannot wait to meet you, whether that be in a few days or just a week or so.  It's just crazy to think how much we have changed during this time and how our hearts have literally changed already and molded into your parents.  It's pretty amazing and we are pretty excited.

But first, I was looking back at pictures and blog posts earlier today....and OMG - look at my stomach from the first stomach picture that I posted that I claimed to have a "bump" at - if only I would have known better as to what I would look like now!  Holy moly we have come along way you and me baby!! (and apparently I've gotten much better at taking self-timer portraits)

How far along: 38 weeks

Size of Baby BOY Carter: 7 - 7.5 lbs (maybe 8?)

Fruit/vegetable comparison: Size of a pumpkin 

Sleep: That is kind of non-existent at this point.  Tried to sleep in a recliner last night to see if that worked better, but it really doesn't!  But it will be over soon, right??

Movement: I loved that my sister got to stare at him moving all around in my stomach - he was probably stretching from just getting up from a nap (who knows!)

Unglamorous body changes: All I have to say is that if you read anything I typed above - my body is going through some crazy changes right now.

Food cravings: Still eating that watermelon like it's my job...

What I miss: I think I'm just more excited to look back now and have this little baby in my arms rather my stomach.  So very soon!!!!

Strange experiences: Just walking out with that date.  So crazy!!

Milestones: It says he might have an inch of hair (OMG - do you think it's red!?!?)

Best moment this week:  Being with Jimmy and making big decisions together. First of many as a family and it was so exciting knowing that we can do this together and still love each other and our baby boy no matter what comes our way.

So here we go - come on little baby!!!  We are ready to meet you!!

Here we are: full term baby (37 weeks!)

Well, I officially made it to 37 weeks pregnant and now have the complete understanding of what everyone is always talking about when they say you just kind of get sick of being pregnant.  It’s so true.  It’s not that I’ve had a bad pregnancy at all, for the most part, it has been enjoyable and just kind of mind blowing to think about all the crazy things my body has been doing and how hard it has been working to build and develop this perfect little human inside of me; I truly feel so blessed and lucky to go through this experience.  But like I said, I now understand what everyone is talking about when you get down to the last few weeks.  And apparently it’s very evident when you see me because pretty much everyone is like “yep, you look ready”.  I’m not sure what that means or what look/vibe I’m giving off (maybe it’s the waddle, the fact that he’s dropped quite a bit and I have a cringe on my face walking around because my feet and hips hurt so bad), but it must be a thing or look or aura that you just get when you have gone through it yourself.  But they are right, I’m ready.  We’re ready.  So baby boy, whenever works for us because I’m getting more anxious and excited as the days tick down before your estimated arrival. I still cannot believe I’m going to be a mom to a handsome little boy.  Needless to say, I think there is a reason why women are pregnant for as long as we are.  Besides the time for necessary development, I can truly say that my thinking and mind has totally shifted to “mom mode”.  I actually do sit down when I’m not feeling well and try to take it easy because it’s not just me that could be impacted, but this little man too.  Pretty unbelievable.

In addition to hitting the big 37 week or FULL TERM milestone, we (meaning me and this little babe) actually hit a personal milestone in this pregnancy over the last weekend.  He stayed inside and behaved and we successfully made it through all of the wedding activities and festivities celebrating Lauren and David!  I was so honored to be the matron of honor and stand up next to them as they took their vows July 14 – but I’m not going to lie, this little man had me quite worried he was going to make an early appearance.  At our 37 week appointment, when they took my blood pressure and she said “130” over blah blah (I rarely pay attention to this reading because I’ve had very good and steady blood pressure throughout my whole pregnancy), I knew this would be an issue because all I remember ever hearing before was 120 on top.  Now 130 is not high (after I did my post-appointment research, in addition to my doctor reassuring me of that), but since it was high for me and had not really moved over the last 36 weeks – she was a little concerned.  In addition to the fact that my feet and hands are swollen like balloon animals or a 300lb person…she wanted to check a few things out.  When she uttered the word “preeclampsia”, I kind of freaked out.  Because even though I knew very little about that, I did know that the only way to get rid of that and get yourself and baby out of stress was have the baby.  And it was only Tuesday and Lauren’s wedding was on Saturday.  (luckily she didn’t take my blood pressure after this discussion, as it probably would have been higher)

And since Jimmy was at the appointment and knows more about medical stuff than I do, he made sure to mention to our doctor that I had been working like a crazy person all weekend long and then was at work at 6:30AM Monday and Tuesday and worked long into the nighttime hours Monday night.  In addition to grad school projects and homework and preparing for Lauren’s wedding, he wanted to make sure that she knew I was a little stressed (not to mention the fact our due date at this point was only 3 weeks away).  However, as good of intentions as he had, in my mind that translated to him pretty much telling the doctor I was pushing myself and the baby too hard and putting both of us in harms way intentionally.  So I lost it.  Cried, sobbed, couldn’t contain myself.  However, I’m sure with super pregnant people, my doctor is completely used to that.  She is wonderful and stayed so calm and assured me there was nothing to worry about and that we would just draw some blood and test it to make sure.  On Wednesday morning they called and said everything came back ok and there is nothing to worry about now and they’ll see us again next Tuesday.  I felt a whole lot better after that – but was quite the dramatic moment.  I’m done with crazy work as that deadline came and went last Thursday and am now attempting to take it easy.  Easier said than done, but hoping that my blood pressure is back to normal at our next appointment.  I just kept thinking how disappointed and sad I would be if I had to miss Lauren’s wedding…I would have been thrilled to welcome this little boy into the world, but really wanted to be there to help my best friend celebrate one of the biggest days of her life!!  So it all worked out in the end, but just made me nervous and scared!!!

So while this is a little delayed, as my 38 week mark is just 2 days away…here is a 37 week update!!  I do have lots more fun bump pictures in my fancy schmancy bridesmaid dress!!

How far along: 37 weeks

Size of Baby BOY Carter: 6 - 9 lbs (um that is quite a range...however, I do wish they could tell me something more precise about how big he is instead of saying "going to be a big baby" at every appointment...)

Fruit/vegetable comparison: Size of a winter melon? (not to be confused with watermelon I guess.....)

Sleep: Peeing 5 times a night doesn't leave much time for sleep!

Movement: He's running out of room!!

Unglamorous body changes: I'm swollen everywhere now!  I told Jimmy I look like a sumo wrestler with swollen eyes and big stomach....

Food cravings: Nothing crazy.  I will tell you I'm not eating that great...not making me happy.

What I miss: Being able to walk normal and not be in pain!!  This whole baby's head descending into my pelvis makes it a bit more difficult..

Strange experiences: At least now that we're so close people's comments have changed to "you look great for only being 2 weeks away....".  I'll take it!

Milestones: He's started to practice inhaling and exhaling, sucking, grabbing and blinking!

Best moment this week:  For sure Lauren's wedding.  Pregnant and all, getting to stand up there next to my best friend and listen to her take her vows and then celebrate with her!  So happy we made it there and I was feeling good.  God was taking extra care of us that day!!

Weeks 35 and 36!

All right - I'm trying to keep up.  Before Wednesday arrives and I'm 37 weeks (UM - yes if you are counting that is full term, which is insane!) - I want to post these.  Not that anyone cares, but I like to have them on here to tell myself I was able to do this every week. For the record - I did actually take these pictures on that week - just the blog post is lacking!!  So onward to week 35 and 36 pictures!

How far along: 35 weeks

Size of Baby BOY Carter: about 4.5-5 lbs

Fruit/vegetable comparison: Size of a coconut

Sleep: Kind of?  Is that an answer?

Movement: Lots of movement - I can tell he is alert (haha)

Unglamorous body changes: Swollen extremities!!  Being 9 months pregnant and the fact that Kansas City has been swept with a heat wave has NOT helped at all.  In case you aren't friends with me on facebook - here is a picture I posted of my feet during this week after a day of traveling in a car 5 hours round trip, walking around stores, retailer meetings and a huge Mexican lunch.  I was forced to sit down that night and ice my feet.  

Food cravings: Nothing crazy this week

What I miss: Having a normal sized frame!!

Strange experiences: Not so much strange.  I did have a retailer comment that he couldn't yell at me because he felt bad because that would be yelling at 2 people.  That was nice of him!

Milestones: He responds to high pitch noises!  Nuts!

Best moment this week:  Getting to enjoy Danny and Kristen's wedding!  It's crazy to think that in October for Jimmy's other best friend's wedding we'll have a 3 month old - WHAT?!

And onto week 36 pictures....this week was HOT!  Like 105 every day.  It was crazy.  But it was nice to have an extra day off with the holiday worked in between!

Yes, I'm posing with a stroller.  I was in love with it!

How far along: 36 weeks

Size of Baby BOY Carter: about 4.2-6 lbs

Fruit/vegetable comparison: Size of a honeydew

Sleep: Not so much, but I hear that is God's way of preparing you....

Movement: Lots of movement - I can tell he is alert (haha)

Unglamorous body changes: Still super swollen.  At least my boss/company are nice and I wear flip flops to work everyday.  No normal shoes fit!  Not even the heels I'm supposed to wear for Lauren's wedding that she bought.  Oops.  Don't worry, I'm working on a back up plan.

Food cravings: Still eating LOTS of watermelon daily!

What I miss: We are just getting excited for this little guys arrival

Strange experiences: Oh the wonderful comments.  Yes, I know I look super pregnant, no I'm not carrying twins.  But thank you for commenting!!

Milestones: Liver and kidney's should be in working order and circulation and immune system are good to go.  Getting ready to make his debut into the world!

Best moment this week:  Jimmy and I went on a whirlwind of errands - exchanging and taking back the things that needed to go back to the stores, getting our stroller (after great discussion on which model we liked best - that included stroller trips around the store....), setting all the big things up like the mamaroo swing, stroller and getting the car seat in.  Feeling more ready each day!

So there you have it - short and sweet, things I don't want to forgot and feelings that I'm sure I'll look back and think "it wasn't THAT bad".  Haha.  However, I can't really complain too much because he and I are still healthy and that's what matters!!