34 Weeks

The closet is filling up with clothes, toys and books!  CanNOT wait for the little guy to get here!!

Pumpkin this week...

~ His skin is no longer see-through!
~ He is getting more and more layers of fat... which will help him regulate his temperature after birth!
~His lungs are maturing!
~Lanugo is shedding and vernix (waxy protective coating) is getting thicker!
~His fingernails now reach the end of his fingertips.

Size of the Baby?

An adorable butternut squash!

Total Weight Gain/Loss?

None this week.  I actually lost a little bit but I'm guessing I sweat that out just in walking to and from my car.

Maternity Clothes?

No drama this week.  Just trying to stay cool in this hot and humid weather!
34 weeks pregnant + 100 degree plus heat index = a little uncomfortable for this mama!

Stretch Marks?

None.

Best Moments?

The Baby Shower!  Recap is here!
AND- we started our birth class!

Movement?
So much!  I love it!  I just watch my belly move all the time!
I imagine I will miss this once he is here!

Nausea/Vomitting?

The humidity and heat make it a little harder to breathe again this week but other than that I'm good!

Labor Signs?

None yet but I feel like he is moving around lower- jumping on my bladder more AND I've had some serious round ligament pains.... enough to make me stop in my tracks.

Gender?

Little Mister.

Belly Button In or Out?
Still an innie... not sure how much longer it can hold on.  I'm starting to think it won't pop!

Wedding Rings On or Off?

Definitely on!

Sleep?

Sleep is overrated.  Who doesn't love 4 potty breaks a night?!  And the on-going battle with trying to get comfortable in bed?!

Wisdom?

Take a tour of your hospital.  We started our birth classes this week (4 classes total) and so far I love it!  I'm really glad we signed up for the class - lots of information and just gives me a peace of mind.  But what was the best so far was we toured the hospital and go to see all the different rooms we will be in, the nursery, the waiting area, etc.  It is really helpful to be able to have a frame of reference of where everything is and what it will look like.  I'm really thankful we got the tour done as I'm certainly hoping we make it to all 4 classes but one never knows!  If this little pumpkin comes early at least I know where to park, check in and go!

What am I most excited about?

A 3 day weekend!  YAY!  Labor day weekend will be filled with another wedding (yay Charlotte and Brandon!!) and then lots of projects around the house.  AND our deck and porch project started yesterday!  So excited to have more space on the main floor EVEN THOUGH I am guaranteed (!) to come home from the hospital with baby and construction workers.  Who planned this one?!  (wink, wink!)

6 weeks left does not seem very far away!

Baby Talk: Baby Shower recap

Last Friday night my sister, Allison and my sister-in-law, Stephanie hosted a beautiful baby shower for Colin and me.  These girls were so organized and on top of every detail- it was awesome!  I received the Save the Date over a month ago which was awesome as so many people were able to plan ahead and put the party on their calendar.  And then the invite came...

So Friday started with my friends Molly and Carissa coming to town from Wisconsin!  I was really excited when I found out a few weeks ago that they would be coming in for the shower.  AND they were bringing their babies- Lucas and Emlyn.  Lucas was born last October 7th and Emlyn was both last October 31st.  For these two mamas to make the road trip over to MN with their little ones was so, so nice!  We went out for a late lunch and then came home to get ready for the shower.  

We headed to my sister's house and promptly arrived at 6pm!  As I pulled up to the house, there were "It's a Boy" decorations and balloons outside!  When I opened the door, I was overwhelmed with everyone that was there.  One of my best friends, Allison from Arizona flew in with her son Austin.  Austin is 14 months old and getting such a little boy face.  I couldn't believe how much he has grown up since I saw him in February.  Having Allison here for the shower meant so much.  Also in attendance from my Green Bay swim/dive team crew was Anna and Gretchen.  Anna is due with a baby boy the day before me!  How crazy is that!  It was really fun to compare bumps- she looks so good!  I'm hoping we can have some play dates with our sons while both of us are on maternity leave!!  And Gretchen who just had little Finley in July came all the way to the shower too!  Finley stayed home with his dad but I was blown away that she was there as I'm sure she is sleep deprived and exhausted with a 5 week old little one at home.  Having 5 Green Bay friends at the shower meant so much to me- these are some of my favorite ladies!

Clockwise: Gretchen, Anna, me, Molly & Lucas, Allison & Austin, Carissa & Emlyn

Allison's mom came too- to help with Austin.  He is a busy boy!  It was really fun to see her and catch up with her as well!

Also in attendance was my high school girls friends Mallarie and Ally!  Mallarie and Ally have been so encouraging and supportive throughout my pregnancy.  Mallarie says she is excited for the baby to be here but I think she is going to miss my bump :)  And Ally would have liked me to have a baby 2 years ago so I know she is going to spoil and love Colin a ton!

Trisha and Ellie were there too- with Landon!!  These two ladies are married to some of Ryan's good friends from high school and they are our Western Suburb friends!  I feel so, so blessed to have these two close by and it has been so wonderful to become close friends with both of these ladies!  Landon's birthday was on Sunday- Happy 1st Birthday Landon!

And who can forget my adorable flower girl Olivia?!  Olivia and her mama Diane (practically family!!) were there too!  Olivia is 4 now and she was flirting with Landon quite a bit through the evening.  I can't wait to see how she handles Colin- I'm sure she will be super sweet to the little guy!

And my incredible family was there too!  I can't describe how much I love my family.  I have incredible women in my life and I'm pretty excited that Colin gets to grow up with these ladies surrounding him!

My mom and my grandma

My sister, Allison and my sister-in-law, Stephanie

And last but certainly not least are my nieces, Laura and Rose!  These are two of my all time favorite ladies!  Colin is so lucky to have these two for cousins- they are going to spoil him, baby-sit him, and love him to pieces!

So it was pretty wonderful that Stephanie took pictures of everyone at the shower with me!  So nice to remember the evening AND everyone signed a book giving advice to me.  Next to each person's advice I can add their picture from the evening.  It will be so fun to look back at that down the road and see what people said and remember the fun of the shower!

So for the details of the shower.... the center pieces were all baskets full of little boy goodies... adorable outfits, fun toys, and necessary baby items for the little man!

Stephanie created a game from my weekly bump updates and this blog called the Pumpkin Patch Match!  Check out the board she made with each week's picture...

She took quotes from the blog and everyone had to try to figure out which week I said the statement.  I have realized that I am an open book (this isn't news to me) and I quite possibly over share!  But you know what it's my blog and you don't have to read it if you don't want.  But since you're here you must like my oversharing, open-book forum and I'm glad you're here!  Thanks for reading!  Okay back to the game- I only got 6 of my own quotes correctly matched with the week.  Yikes!  How could I know so little about myself!?  My nieces won with 9 correct, Allison Rainwater took second and Diane finished third!  Nice work ladies- you do know me well!

Okay moving on- dinner was delicious!  Chicken, strawberry salad with fruit and bread sticks!  So yummy!  Sparkling punch, wine, water, pop, and coffee all served as well!

Along with the veggies, cheese and crackers, and chips and salsa as apps!  So nice to enjoy dinner with the ladies!

And then I was spoiled beyond words!  The gifts just kept on coming!  I was overwhelmed with how generous my friends and family were!  I can't say thank you enough!  

We received so many ADORABLE clothes, our bouncy seat, a grooming kit, books, blankets, baby essentials, the diaper genie, an activity gym, and so much more!  Colin is a lucky little boy!

 

We finished the evening with a delicious cake to celebrate! So yummy!

I cannot say thank you enough for the shower!  Allison and Stephanie did an amazing job!  Looking for party planners?!?  I feel blessed beyond words and so lucky to have the family and friends that I do!  Even friends that couldn't come to the shower sent me notes hoping the shower was fun and sending gifts too!  I'm lucky and spoiled!  So there you have it- an incredible shower given for Colin!

And today I'm linking up with Kristin for Baby Talk!

My heart is full,

Weekend Shenanigans: An Evening Baby Shower & Wedding #1

A quick recap of the weekend to start your Monday morning!

Friday evening I had a baby shower hosted by my sister, Allison and my sister-in-law, Stephanie!  Tomorrow's blog will be all about this beautiful shower and the amazing people who celebrated our little man!  But I have to say it was the most beautiful, detailed, and thoughtful shower.  I was overwhelmed by the evening.  And the icing on the cake was the people who came- I have the most wonderful family and friends in the world.  Thank you to each of you who made me and Colin loved!

Saturday, Ryan and I began our wedding marathon.  We have 4 weddings in the next 4 weeks.  We headed to Green Bay, WI to watch my good friend Brandon marry his lovely lady, Alease!  Brandon and I dove together in college.  It was really fun to be back in GB and to see so many old teammates and our coach too!  The wedding was by the bay and it could not have been a more beautiful afternoon!  To explain the theme of the wedding is to say that a fairy princess married Superman.  Alease LOVES the Disney Princess theme and Brandon LOVES Superman.  The happy couple did an amazing job pulling the two worlds together.  It was beautiful!  Congratulations Brandon and Alease!  Your wedding was beautiful and we have no doubt you will have a lifetime of memories and love!  xoxo

We had a short stop at Titletown Brewery between the ceremony and reception- sort of fun to run around Green Bay again.  It has been 5+ years!  Then at the reception, we had a fun table of old GB swimmers and divers and coach Tom and his wife Maggie!

Kayla, me, coach Tom, Lauren, and Brandon

I can't say that weddings are the same now as they were when I was not pregnant.  The inability to dance like I used to has made me hang up my dancing shoes until further notice but we did have fun catching up with everyone.  

Yes Brandon wore a Superman shirt for the greater portion of the reception!

Ryan and I stayed at the hotel and like an expecting couple does- we headed to be before 11pm.  

We hit the road Sunday morning to return home.  It wasn't an overly exciting Sunday but we started some laundry for the baby!  Baby laundry is way more fun than my own laundry!  How much cuter can it be?!!

See you tomorrow for the Baby Shower recap!

Friday Letters

Happy Friday Everyone!  So glad the weekend is upon us!  We have lots of fun things planned this weekend: Baby Shower & a Wedding!

Dear Family & Girlfriends:

I cannot wait to see you tonight at the Baby Shower!  I'm so blessed to have so many ladies in my life.  Some of my friends are traveling across the country to be here and I'm blown away!  Thank you- see you tonight!!

Dear Brandon and Alease:

Happy Wedding Weekend!  We cannot wait to celebrate with you and see you!  Alease- you are a very lucky lady as I know what a wonderful guy Brandon is!  He will love you forever and be your best friend!  Brandon- Alease is perfect for you so don't mess this up!  Just kidding!  But for real, treat her like a princess, she will be the best wife in the world for you!  

Dear Husband:

Thank you for being so helpful this week around the house!  I've been in nesting mode and you have been awesome!  You're the best!

Dear MN State Fair:

I so badly want to visit you this year but I'm just not sure!  I love your food and people watching.  I love shopping at the fun kiosks and seeing the animals.  But I'm a little overwhelmed at your ginormous crowds and the MN heat.  If I can go on a cool day and baby and I feel good- well then I'll go!  I'd hate to miss you this year but well... you get it!

Dear Baby Boy:

I cannot believe how fast time is going and before I know it you will be here!  Keep on growing!  And if you could, take it easy on my ribs- they are not your personal playground :)  His 'little' foot at 28 weeks!

Happy Friday and weekend everyone- 'see' you Monday!

33 Weeks

Pumpkin this week...

~ He is keeping his eyes open when he is awake.
~ He has started to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing.
~His bones are hardening.

Size of the Baby?

Size of a durian!  Now can someone please tell me what that is?!

Total Weight Gain/Loss?

+2 lbs per my scale BUT the doctor said I've only gained 1 lb in the last two weeks!  I knew I liked my doctor!  :)

Maternity Clothes?

Well here is another fun story... so last week I told you about my maternity dress issue... and how Ryan saved the day to order me a new dress.  Well the new dress came on Friday.  I was all excited but knew I needed Ryan's help to zip it up.  So as soon as he got home, I put on the dress and was so excited to see it all zipped up.  FAIL.  The dress didn't fit.  Begin the mini-meltdown.  I was so disappointed that the new (medium) didn't fit!  There was no way in 4 days I grew 4 inches.  And to be honest the new dress felt tighter than the smaller one.  Ryan also thought the dress seemed wrong.  To be totally honest, (I'm not sure trying to make myself feel better here) I think the dress was mislabeled.  But I called the customer service and they could not send me a large (UGH!) as it was on back order.  And well I need this dress for tomorrow's shower!  So I threw the new dress back in the return bag and started searching the internet for a replacement dress.  Insert tears and frustration.  Ryan assured me that I didn't grow that much and that I could go shopping and find a new dress.  I ended up shopping with Trisha before we met our husbands for dinner that night.  I found 2 maternity dresses plus one really cute dress from Hot Mama that worked!  So in the end I returned one dress, bought three new ones and can't wait to show them all off!  :)

Stretch Marks?

Nope, not one.  Knock on wood.

Best Moments?

The BaByQ!  See my recap post here for the details!

Movement?
Lots of it!  It's not as many kicks and jabs as it is rolls and slides now.  But every once in a while, my belly dances and I love it!

Nausea/Vomitting?

No nausea but still losing my breath once in a while.  Sunday was bad before the BaByQ.  Let's just paint this picture... couldn't breathe, laying on the kitchen floor on my side, crying.  Dupree licking my face and Ryan felt helpless.  Awesome.

Labor Signs?

Nope.

Gender?

BOY!

Belly Button In or Out?
I'm calling it an innie because more of it is in than out!

Wedding Rings On or Off?

On and thinking I can make it thru this pregnancy with them on the whole time!

Sleep?

I think I have pregnancy insomnia.  I can't stay asleep to save my soul and when I wake up, it's hard work to get back to sleep.

Wisdom?

Now that I am done coaching, I have more time on my hands to think about baby and do projects and nest.  As fun as it is, I am really really thankful that I was coaching for most of my pregnancy.  It kept me busy and preoccupied.  Now, when I'm home I feel pressure to do things around the house.  Then again I am 7 weeks away from baby's arrival so it may be time to get my rear in gear too!

What am I most excited about?

The baby shower tomorrow!  My sister and sister-in-law are hosting a shower with a lot of my family and girlfriends!  I am so excited to celebrate the little guy with some of the favorite women in my life!  I can't wait to see everyone and see all the details Allison and Stephanie have been working on!  I'm incredibly blessed!

Sort of fun to look back at the last 20 weeks and to see the bump grow... 13, 23, and 33 weeks!