Loving life

Life is so precious. I am amazed each day at how much more I grow to adore this sweet little girl that God has blessed us with. Each smile and trusting look she gives overwhelms me. I am so blessed. Being a mother is just like I always thought it would be.....no. It's even better! To have someone depend upon you and love you unconditionally is such an extraordinary thing. I cannot get over it!

Finley will be 11 weeks old tomorrow. She is sleeping through the night wonderfully! She is a good eater and overall a happy little baby. She loves to "talk" to Mommy and Daddy and her toys. She will stare at herself in the mirror for hours and absolutely loves her bath time. She cries and cries when it's time to get out of the tub! I may have a little swimmer on my hands. :) Mike and I both just love her to pieces. God has truly blessed us!

Pictures: Nursery and 36 week ultrasound!

36 weeks

Alright...we're almost there! This little girl is running out of room inside of me. She is unfortunately still breech, so we'll see what happens in the next couple weeks. If she doesn't turn, she will be gracing us with her presence (via doctor's intervention) in three short weeks! If she turns, then she can take her dear time coming out (hopefully not too long though). Still the slow steady weight gain...I am a little wider and carrying lower (profile shot looks pretty close to three weeks ago though). Everyone is assuming I am due any day now, which, in all honesty, is possible. Hospital bag is packed and ready to go. Baby's room clean and cute. Newborn clothes washed and put away. Enough diapers for at least the first week or two. Now the waiting game begins. I still have things left to do, but I tried to get all the important things done before this point. It is pretty tough to be comfortable now...heartburn is a regular problem, as well as finding a comfortable position to sleep in. But thankfully I have lots of time to rest at home before she gets here. Praying and hoping for a smooth delivery (whatever way God sees best) and a healthy, happy baby!

33 weeks

Here we are - in the last stretch! This little girl is welcome to come anytime in the next 4 to 8 weeks. Whenever she is ready! She is still very active and very visible on the outside now. It's fun to watch the rolling going on under my shirt. :)

The dreaded heartburn and nausea have returned in full force. I am hoping that I'll be able to eat enough for the two of us during the remaining month or two. Just not much room in there! Other than that, the baby and I are doing very well. Still measuring and weighing-in right on target.

Only one more week of work, then I'll be at home getting things ready for baby. AND getting lots of needed rest. It's a little sad to leave all the kiddos and my co-workers at the school, but I am excited for a bit of me time before my little one is here. The nursery is looking fabulous...only a few finishing touches and it will be ready.

The mural is finished!

Here are the promised pictures...I will take more when we have all the decorations, furniture, and bedding in place.

30 weeks

Wow! Getting closer and closer. Just had a wonderful Spring Break. Now back to work for around four more weeks. Then I'll get a little resting time before baby gets here. I get to see my doctor more regularly now - every two weeks. Then once I hit 36 weeks, it's every week until baby comes. It really is coming fast. Not much new to report....baby and I are still doing well. She is still flipping around inside trying to decide how to get comfortable. :) I still tire quickly and enjoy getting to nap and rest. And I'm still not done painting the baby mural! I better get crackin'! Well here's your photo update this week!

Third Trimester!

It is here....the last leg of the journey. The third trimester. I cannot believe how quickly it arrived. In roughly another 12 weeks Mike and I will be holding our little girl in our arms. We can't contain our excitement!

I have had a teensie-weensie bit more energy over the past two weeks. I have started the mural for the baby room and will post pics when it's all done (hopefully this week, but we'll see). The energy has helped me get some things done that I've been putting off, but unfortunately it doesn't last as long as I'd like. I'll take what I can get though.

Last weekend Mike and I took a crash-course birthing class. We got to tour the maternity ward, ask our questions, simulate labor, etc. We were exhausted by the end of the eight-hour day, but feel more prepared than we were before the class. And we were sent home with plenty of pamphlets and other reading material to help us stew over what was taught. Next on the list is finding "THE" pediatrician for us and start getting our spoiled pup ready for a baby. Oh joy.

All of my doctor's appointments have been going well. Baby's doing great, as am I. Not gaining too much weight and hopefully it will stay that way. :) Our little gymnastic/dancer is still bouncing away inside of Mommy. Pretty soon she'll be getting too big to wiggle around as much as she does. In the meantime, hopefully she'll get herself turned around in the right direction. Ha!