38 weeks and 3 days

Well, we are on the home stretch of this pregnancy. I've been having irregular contractions for about a week but they don't last long and aren't intense at all (I can talk and drive with no problems). I feel like a ticking time bomb that a lot of people are watching (mostly the older women at Church- Dec.2 "You're still here?"... "I'm not due until the 22nd"...). I feel like time has slowed down a LOT because I can feel people watching me.

I think Chris really understands how close I really am. Yesterday, he started prepping people at work for his absence. He told me a funny story: He shares his office with a guy who's not been married very long. His office mate says he watched a video on YouTube of a woman that set something on her tummy and it was bouncing. Then he asked if our baby was moving... Chris kind of chuckled to himself as he said that I can't have my laptop on my tummy anymore because the baby will kick it so much that I can't get things done. His office mate then responded in this way (I don't remember exactly the words but here's the point): "Whoa!". Chris thought to himself "You have no idea. This baby kicks me when I get hugs." It was a funny story to hear :)

I'm sure some of you want to see what I look like at just over 38 weeks. I don't think I look different but you can be the judge of that. Here it is:

Ok; so maybe I have gotten a little bit bigger... But I'm feeling pretty good- just tired and ready to pop this little guy out. Well, until next time!

Favorite Family Photos From Shoot

Here is a sample of some of my favorite photos from our family shoot a few weeks ago:

My friend did a fantastic job (I think) and worked really well with Penelope. You can see Chris' weight loss in a couple of these pictures (which I really like because it's always hard to see the difference when losing weight). He has lost about 30 lbs during this pregnancy. He wore a shirt the other day from high school and it was too big on him! I'm so proud of him and his accomplishments so far. I can't wait for our little boy to join our family and to add him into our mix of craziness.

I hope you all enjoy these as much as I do! 

From Crib to Toddler Bed

Our little girl is growing right up. We have a friend in town for this Thanksgiving holiday to help prepare things around the house for the baby coming. One of the big things that we've done is set up the toddler bed in Penny's room. We gave it a test shot yesterday for nap time (she got to see it after it was all set up a couple hours before the nap). She did surprisingly well- she didn't realize she could just hop down if she wanted so she cried for a few minutes before falling asleep. Last night, we got in late (from our Thanksgiving feast at the family's) so she was already asleep when we put her in the bed. Again, Penny did great for her afternoon nap today in her big girl bed. We've established a "no drinks in the bed" rule to help preserve the life of the mattress (she is still in diapers but the cups we have leak a little when on their side). Tonight was the first night putting her in the big girl bed at night before she was unconscious. She started to climb on the side of the crib saying "bed, bed" but I told her we're going to be in the big girl bed now. I plopped her down in the bed and while she was still sitting up we read a bedtime story. I then laid her down, covered her with her blankets and quilts, kissed her on the head, turned off the light, and left the room. She's making tired noises but hasn't gotten up from the bed. I hope this is going to be an easy transition so she doesn't feel like the new baby will be taking her bed away from her (although, he'll be in our room for the first month or so, until we have a routine down). Here's a quick picture of Penny checking out the new bed just after it was set up:

I hope she sticks to sleeping in the toddler bed and that we won't have any issues of her wandering around the house in the middle of the night. Well, I hope you enjoy this happy picture as much as I do!

Children's Discovery Museum

A little over a week ago, Chris had a couple friends visiting the area and knew we should all get together while they were here. As a result, we went to a farmers market and the San Jose Children's Discovery Museum. Needless to say, Penny had a ball. I think this expression on her face says it all:

What a happy expression. It was funny while we were there because she didn't have a real nap all that day so as we went to the water exhibit, she got this glazed look on her face. You could tell she was hanging on by a thread. Penny climbed into a firetruck and an ambulance that they had set up.  We didn't get a chance to go to the other floors or see much else because she just stayed with the bubbles and the water exhibits. We got to watch some fun dances outside, as they were celebrating the festival of lights (Diwali) so you can imagine how packed it was at the museum. Here are some other photos of Penny taken while we were there:

 

 

 

Needless to say, she slept well that night (with no real naps all that day except 10 minutes here and there while in the car). Well, I hope you enjoy the photos and seeing Penny's joy from this trip.

Doctor Appointment and Ultrasound

Well, the ultrasound went very well. The baby's head is down like it should be and he is still a boy. He has long slender feet (about 2.5 times the width). The doctor wants us to keep an eye on the baby's kicks. He kicks enough that Chris notices when we have dinner and before we go to sleep (because he kicks Chris at night). They are not at all concerned with his weight (not that they were before)- the ultrasound shows, based on his measurements, that he's somewhere around 5 1/2 lbs, which is right on track with what his weight should be for this far along. No 9 lb baby for me! The doctor predicts that if things go on track as they have then he'll be around 8 lbs when he comes out. I am now at a 5 lb weight gain for this pregnancy, which is good. After my next appointment in two weeks, I go in every week after that. It's kind of scary to think about.

Well, short and sweet until next time (just like my doctor appointments).

34 weeks

I know it's been a couple weeks since I posted a bump picture so here it goes again:

I really do feel as big as I look. I tried to hide around the corner from Penny (with Chris looking on) and he said that I needed to step back further- that there was an area still sticking out. I guess I don't realize how big this bump is until I hear something like that. A couple weeks ago, a couple of the men at church asked me if I was due any time now and I just smiled and said "Nope. I've got about 6-7 weeks left." Penny is understanding a little bit more that I can't pick her up like she wants me to (her phrase is "mommy holding" when she wants up). Chris has been a great dad and stepped up to fill her cuddling needs when he's home.

We have an ultrasound appointment set for this coming Tuesday so I'll keep the blog informed after that appointment. I'll be sending an email out by the end of the month to see who can help watch Penny for these last sets of appointments every week (especially as the appointments get a little more involved than just question sessions).

Smiles!

Well, to prove it to myself and my husband, here are some cute smiles from our (mostly) sweet Penelope:

Hopefully, some of these smiles come out in the family photos we did today. 

The photo session was great today. Our wonderful photographer was really sweet and worked with Penny to try to get some good shots. Ironically, Penny fell asleep on the way up to the park where we had the photos taken but thankfully woke up happy. We got a sneak peek at a few of the wonderful smiles caught on camera. I hope I look as good as I feel. I was looking back at pictures taken at the end of the pregnancy with Penny and I just thought to myself how out of shape I was. It's something I don't ever want to look like again. I'm about 25lbs lighter than I was with Penny. That is crazy to think about. I feel like I can see a difference in my face when I compare photos. It gives me goals to think about for after this little guy joins us and I've got a handle on everything. 

Well, as soon as we've selected some of the photos we'll be one step closer to having our pictures!! I've got the Christmas card selected from shutterfly and have it all ready to just put a picture or three in. I want to be on top of Christmas cards this year because not only of the baby coming but also because we're not going "home" to Ohio for Christmas this year.

I had my doctor's appointment this past Thursday. I have gained another 2 pounds making it a grand total of 3 pounds gained for the pregnancy. The doctor isn't worried at all because I'm gaining like I should now and it's not abnormally low or high so she thinks the baby will be around 8 pounds (knowing that Penny was 7lb 14oz). We have an ultrasound/appointment in 10 days to see what this little guy is measuring and that all looks good. We set up my appointments for the rest of the pregnancy on Thursday. It means the end is near! I'm excited and anxious about all the things we still need to do in the house (cleaning and moving things around). I'm excited though to have one of my good friends come for a visit for Thanksgiving to help a bit and to enjoy her company.