37 Weeks

We went back to the doctor for round 2 of weekly check ups. Everything is still looking good! I'm measuring just right and baby's heartbeat is sounding great. In terms of progress, we got just about the same report as we did last week--still a ways to go. BUT I am now officially considered full term and they won't stop labor when it begins. 

In other news, as Holy Week approaches I decided I better try on my fitted robe to see if it would still fit. And, alas, as you can see above, it "fits" in that I can zip it up over my belly but oh my gosh the pockets were pulling back really far and it was incredibly uncomfortable. Looks like I'll be switching to the "Harry Potter" robe for Maundy Thursday and Easter! :) 

Lenny has also taken a liking to the bump lately....

36 Weeks

And so begin the weekly check ups.....

There is only 1 month (ish) left! Everything looked good today at the doctor. She begins doing pelvic exams at this point so that we can have some sense of a time table--so far we still have some work to do. Other than that, baby is looking good and her little heart is beating at 142bpm. 

We completed our Breastfeeding Class which was really helpful in terms of helping us feel prepared to take that journey when Baby arrives. We also spent an entire weekend returning a lot of the gifts from the shower that we either didn't need, needed to trade out, or that we had doubles of. Whew! That was a lot of work but better to do it now than later! 

Really feeling like things are coming together and we have all of the "big" things we need from here (thankfully). Now we just put on the finishing touches and wait (and take naps, I've been needing lots of extra rest lately)! 

34 Weeks!

Time is seriously flying by these days! Here we are at 34 weeks already--woah! We went back to our regular doctor for a quick check up since we hadn't seen her in a few rotations. Once again everything looks good! We switch over to weekly visits when we come back at 36 weeks--crazy. 

Baby girl is moving up a storm. What once felt like lots of little tiny flutters and kicks are now more like strong punches and rolls. She is definitely beginning to run out of space in there! 

In between my last post and this one we also had TWO baby showers! Baby Lacey received SO many wonderful gifts and is already loved by so many. We are so thankful for our many wonderful friends and family who are already looking forward to meeting her. 

This picture is really only the aftermath from ONE shower. Thankfully my momma came to town to help me organize and sort so that the nursery no longer looks such a mess :) We were able to wash all of the newborn clothes, wash the sheets and towels, make the bed, and get everything fairly ready to go. We also bought all of the things that I'll need post-partum so now I really feel a lot more prepared for what is ahead in the coming months. 

30 Weeks

We've officially crossed over from doctor's appointments every 4 weeks to doctor's appointments every 2 weeks! Woah! Where'd the time go?!

This time around we saw the PA as Dr. Goolsby was busy in Labor & Delivery. Everything is still looking good and I walked out of this visit with the added bonus of a TDAP shot. 

We have spent the last several Monday evenings in child birthing classes at St. Vincent's. Some classes and discussions have been more helpful than others but overall it's got us thinking about our fast approaching due date and all the things we want to try to make happen when the time comes. I'm trying my best to remain flexible and realize that I've never been in labor before and I honestly have no idea what I will want in the moment. But I've been reading up as much as I can, listening carefully as we talk in class, and trying to make some best guesses about how we would LIKE for things to go! We toured the birth suites last week and that made it seem very real. We love St. Vincent's (hello, we've spent way too much time there b/c of Matt's pancreas) and so the rooms were just as we expected! 

28 Weeks

We hit 28 weeks and so it was back to the doctor for a check up! This time we started our rotations through the practice and visited with Dr. Thomas. She was excellent! 

All is still looking well--my weight keeps creeping on up there and now my belly is growing out by the second it seems. Little miss was quite wiggly while we were trying to hear the heart beat and Dr. Thomas ended up having to "trap" her with her hands to get a good read. But, no worries, all is well as she came in right around her typical 150bpm. Crazy child! 

The only other issues we talked with the doctor about were my increasing carpal tunnel pains--for which she suggested sleeping in wrist braces--so we've added that to the routine to try to keep it from getting any worse. It really is the craziest thing. It started in my thumb on the left hand and then spread to the pinky--though it seems to have mostly subsided in my pinky finger my thumb is still mostly numb on the inside. We also talked about possible tricks for getting better sleep. It seems the 3rd trimester insomnia has come in right on time. 

All in all we are doing quite well! Continuing to finish up the nursery and anxiously awaiting showers and celebrations ahead! 

Babymoon to Big Sur

Because we like to travel so much, we knew pretty much as soon as we found out we were expecting that we wanted to take one last big adventure with just the two of us (yes, yes I know that we can travel as two again but it will be different when you have to leave a CHILD behind and not just your dog). After much research and deliberation we decided to visit Big Sur in California. 

And, I must say, it did not disappoint.

We spent most of our days enjoying the sunshine and beauty of the California coast. 

We did a good bit of hiking, checked out the redwoods,

caught some gorgeous sunsets,

enjoyed the stunning views, ate picnic lunches,

saw our fill of migrating whales and crazy elephant seals, and took lots of beautiful photos! 

It was such a relaxing, peaceful, and downright beautiful location for our babymoon! I highly recommend a trip to Big Sur in your lifetime!

On our final day/night we took the opportunity to hang around San Francisco. Matt had never been before so there were a few places we HAD to stop (ie the Golden Gate Bridge below). We wandered the Mission District for most of the day and ate a really wonderful meal at Greens restaurant before turning in for the evening.

We are so thankful that we had one more opportunity to sneak away just the two of us and we definitely made memories that we will cherish forever! 

24 Weeks

It's hard to believe that ANOTHER 4 weeks has passed us by so quickly. During the past several weeks we celebrated Christmas and rang in the New Year. It's been a wonderful time spent with family and just taking it easy as the two of us. (I completed a puzzle, read a book, caught up on some TV shows, planned our trip, & just enjoyed a slower pace) Baby Girl already received lots of love in the form of books and clothes--she doesn't even know what's coming!! 

At our most recent doctor's appointment I had to undergo the dreaded Glucose Test. But I really must say, it wasn't all that bad. The drink I downed pretty much tasted like Hawaiian Punch! :) It seems that everything came out normal as we have yet to receive any news (in this case, no news really is good news). Baby's heartbeat was still nice and strong--she was moving all around at our appointment and continues to do so regularly! All is well with Baby Girl and time is flying by these days! (and as you can see from above, there is no more hiding the fact that I'm pregnant)