38 Weeks

Here are the stats from my appointment today:

• Blood pressure: 116/84 
• Weight: 168...water retention? - my hands, feet and face are pretty swollen these days.
• Tummy measurement: 37 cm
• Her heartbeat was in the upper 130s
• Cervix 60% effaced, almost 2cm dilated. In doc's words, I am very, very soft. 
• And, I'm happy to report...no stretch marks!!! :) Woo Hoo!

Once again, she could make her appearance any day!!!! 

You know how some pregnant women say that they are so miserable at the end and just want it over? I don't understand that at all. I feel wonderful, except I'm really tired....all the time. I have been so fortunate and blessed to have what people call an "easy" pregnancy! (I do realize that I am one of the lucky, blessed few to have this.) I have so enjoyed every day of this pregnancy, but I am definitely ready to see her sweet face. The excitement and anticipation is starting to drive me crazy, because I know she's coming, within days!!! I'm just ready to hold her and cuddle.  :)

Blessings to you all!  

Beautiful, Beautiful Shower

On Saturday, October 1st, my dear friends gave me a baby shower. Let me just say that it was the most beautiful, thought out, planned, and decorated shower that I have ever been to. Everything was amazing, and made me feel incredibly blessed, from the amazing food, to the adorable centerpieces, and the well wishes, gifts, and advice from everyone.

Let me recap the day in photos (which were done by the incredibly talented April Musser - thank you so much!)

 As you walked up to the door, this is what we were greeted with! LOVE this!!

 Isn't it amazing?? The decor was absolutely gorgeous! Animal print everywhere with a splash of green, brown, and pink!

 This was really cute - party favors!

 By the end of the shower, that jar was full of incredible advice! I've loved reading every single one, and they will go in my scrapbook for sure!

 Cupcakes!!! Cupcakes are my favorite dessert, so I was in heaven. I, of course, had all three flavors!

They were made by Tara at Pensacola Cupcake and Co. I highly recommend her cupcakes for any event that you have!!!

 These cake toppers were beautiful.

Cherry Limeade!!!

 Gorgeous. Every last detail. Notice one of my maternity photos in the back. Our maternity photos were all over the house in frames...what an awesome idea! And, they had all 300+ photos looping on their television! And, these really cool animal print orbs were hanging over the food tables - so cute! I kept a few to hang in Evelyn's room. 

 The food. Oh, the food!! Phenomenal!! Those who know me know that I love Panera bread soup and salad, so that was the theme! And let me say that these salads and soups made by my BFF's were waaaay much better than Panera!

 Christy, the gorgeous and talented host, manning the 3 soup varieties.

 Feeling Evelyn!! So sweet. My little buddy and adopted nephew Isaak was there for a bit, and he said several times "Ah-Zoo's baby shower!!" and when I asked him who was in my tummy, he replied "Evelyn." Such a sweet boy...

 Gifts!!! Blessed beyond measure!! I have to admit, I felt a little uncomfortable being the center of attention and being given all of these wonderful things, but I felt (and still feel) so blessed!!

I was so moved by it all, so moved by all of the love and prayers for our little miracle - I lost it. The tears flowed - to be expected! ;)

 In awe of the beautiful bow holder made by Jessica and the bows made by Christy.

 My beautiful mother and I

 My beautiful girls. They are a blessing to me in so many ways. They made me feel so loved, so blessed, and just so special on that beautiful shower day!!! I know there was so much planning and preparation, and it was so special and means the world to me. Every detail was thought of, every single thing was beautiful. I felt like a celebrity, like I was receiving the royal treatment. 

I love you all. And we are all rockin' the animal print! 

All hot mommas!!!!!

A huge thank you to all the ladies who came - what an amazing group! You've blessed me incredibly, and I can't wait for you all to meet Evelyn! 

37 Weeks

I'm sorry that my blogging as of late has only been quick pregnancy updates....I'm just really tired and when I try to put together a coherent blog post about things other than the pregnancy, it just doesn't work!

So here are my stats from our 37 week OB appointment:

• Blood pressure was 118/78 - looking good! So thankful I don't have BP problems!
• Weight was up to 168 - the doctor said I am definitely retaining fluids. Thankfully that will go away after the birth! Hopefully this cooler weather will help with the swelling and puffies.
• Belly is measuring right on - 37cm.
• She is definitely in position and has dropped head down even more, and I can definitely tell! Lot's of pressure down there and it is hard to walk, sit up, stand up, get out of bed... 
• Cervix is 1cm dilated and 60% thinned - excellent progress from last week! Woo Hoo! 

She is on her way, coming very soon! I can't wait to see her face to face!

Love and blessing to you all...

A Quick 36 Week Update

Yesterday we had our 36 week OB appointment. It is exciting and surreal to be at this point in the pregnancy, to think that we could be holding our sweet baby within a matter of days!!!

I'm feeling really good. I'm experiencing some swelling in my feet, face and hands, but that is mostly at night and depends on if I ate a lot of salt that day. I am definitely slowing down, and I can't move as quickly as I used to. I really understand now why pregnant women waddle. It is not because the weight of the baby or your balance being off, it is because it hurts! It's no joke why they call it "lightening crotch." I also am tired all of the time, but that is to be expected. After a day at work, I am so lethargic, basically a big "zero." I just can't function! But, overall, I am feeling amazing! Loving every minute!

Here's the low down on the appointment:

• No weight gain this week - staying steady at 164
• Blood pressure was great - 110/76
• Belly is measuring at 36cm - perfect!
• She is in position - head down into my pelvis
• Internally, my cervix is soft. He could feel her head!

So, Doc was pretty sure that I would be back next Wednesday for my 37 week appointment, and that I probably won't be going into labor this week. But he did say that he also wouldn't be surprised if I come in to Labor&Delivery any day now! 

So with all of that, I came home (after an Olive Garden date with hubby), and made sure our hospital bags were completely packed. We now have all of her newborn clothes washed and folded, and all of the nursery essentials are put away and waiting. There are just a couple more things I would really like to get, but we have the majority of our bases covered! Hooray!!

Love and blessings to you all...

My Growing Belly (Part Five)

Here they are - part five! She's growing and growing! Just think, I only have a few more pictures to post in "My Growing Belly" series.

:)

Soon, I will post about my AMAZING shower today! I had such a good time, that I'm just too tired to blog about it right now...

August 27

29 weeks

150 pounds 

 September 3

30 Weeks

152 pounds

September 10

31 Weeks

154 pounds

September 17

32 weeks

156 pounds

September 24

33 weeks

158 pounds

October 1

34 weeks

162 pounds (40 pound weight gain mark! Oh dear.)