still busy until the very last second

Week 37 has been a busy one for Josh and I.  We went to the doctor last Friday and found out that he is head down (she actually felt the head she said, crazy!) and that I was dialated at a 1 or 2.  This was good news, however, I could be dialated for weeks!! I had gained another pound that week, so still keeping steady! 

My mom came to town that day as well and we all went to a wedding in Newton for a family member, Kerri.  Josh and I were the guest book attendents, and we were very excited to be a part of her day.  It was nice catching up with family.  One of Josh's cousins just had a little girl while another one is pregnant with her fifth child!  So there was plenty of baby talk, which was fine by me!  We left Newton close to 11:30, and that is probably the latest I had been up in a long time!   

guest book attendents!

at the reception!

Josh and I with the Bride, Kerri

That next morning Josh and I had our FastTrack Birthing Class from 9 am - 3 pm.  This was one class we really wanted to make sure to get in before the big day.  It was different from what I had expected, it was more of a lecture type of class.  One thing that did ease my mind a bit was just knowing a little more about what to expect during the labor and delivery process.  I know that it is something that is different for everyone and you really can't "plan" anything, but they did let you know all the possibilities.  I knew going into that class that I was going to do everything I possibly could to not get the epidural and after the class it just reassured my feeling.  I want to be to be able to experience everything I possibly can with the labor and delivery.  A lot of people I have spoke about it with it seems like a first option, which to each their own, but I want to make it a last resort.  My mom has expressed how much she enjoyed the labor and delivery and she was able to go through it all natural, so it can be done!  I also didn't realize that it was left in your back the whole time, which kind of made me uneasy about the whole thing.  Josh and I have talked about it and have agreed that we not going to go into this process already deciding one way or another.  If it comes the time where we think the epidural is the best option for us then that is what we are going to do, but I want to do everything to not get the epidural.  I know that Josh is going to be so supportive and I cannot wait for the day to come.  I am very lucky to have such an amazing man.

After our class, we went back home to get ready for wedding #2 for the weekend.  Our friends Greg and Amanda got married that day and unfortunately we missed the wedding because of class but we were able to be there for the start of the reception.  Amanda and Greg are both fun people who truly deserve one another.  It was a beautiful reception downtown Des Moines and she was a stunning bride.  There were also a couple of the bridesmaids that were pregnant as well, so there is baby fever everywhere!

Cynthia is due beginning of Feb.!

One of my most favorite people, Michelle!  What is out of place here? :)

Beautiful bride Amanda and the MOH!

her dress was so beautiful...

Love these girls!

Love him so much!

This week we got most of the final things for the baby ordered, so we are almost done with the nursery completely!  We ordered our extra car seat base and a mobile for the crib (this was a must for Josh:)).  This week I have finally understood what people talk about when it comes to lack of sleep and ready for the pregnancy to be over.  These final weeks really take a toll on your body!  I think I have mastered the woddle and the sleepless nights have begun!  My right foot is definitely swelled, the left one is slightly, but not nearly as bad as the right. 

Wednesday was my 27th birthday, which I got the day off so Josh took the day off as well so we could spend it together.  He really went all out for my birthday present and got me diamond stud earrings. I couldn't believe it and of course it brought tears to my eyes.  I actually opened them the night before my birthday because he could not wait to give them to me:).  I am so appreciative of his thoughtfulness and he definitely did not need to get me something that nice. I loved the earrings and everything they stood for, so THANKS AGAIN, HONEY!  I LOVE THEM!

That afternoon we made our way out to Homemakers to look at rockers for the nursery and found one that would work perfectly.  It was small enough to fit in the room and we will be able to put it somewhere else in the house when we no longer need it in the baby's room.  That was the only thing we had planned on getting when we got there, but we ended up getting a new kitchen table and chairs as well (which made me super excited, because we had been using a hand me down from one of Josh's co-workers.  They served their purpose but were getting a little worn out.).  We wanted to get something that we could fit more people around with our growing family.  I love it!  It has two leaves that can be put it to make it bigger along with four chairs.  We also ordered a bench for one side that has storage in it as well.  We can now have 7-8 people sitting at the table comfortably:).  We thought that we might have Christmas at our house this year with the baby only being a few weeks old by that time.  It would be the first time that it is not at my parents house, but we are going to make the final decision over Thanksgiving.

Josh had made reservations at Splash downtown that night, it is one of our favorite places to eat but only go there for special occasions due to the prices not being very budget friendly:).  They have such great food though!  Josh enjoyed some wine with his lobster and I had Alaskan king crab.  It was so good as usual and we both finished up with some dessert.  I have to say that I had a pretty darn good birthday and most of all I was happy to spend it with Josh. 

We have our 38 week appointment today so we will be getting another update on the baby's progress so hopefully we will have more good news coming!

37 weeks!  It's really getting out there!

the suspense....

OH MY!  I cannot believe that we only have 3 and a half weeks until the due date!!  It seems like just yesterday that Josh and I found out we were expecting our little miracle and wandering what this journey was going to be like.  He was only a twinkle in our eye and now he is about to enter the world!  We could not be more excited and anxious.  We have done so much preparation for his arrival and cannot wait to see who he will become!  It's crazy to think about that he is already developing his own personality. 
A couple weeks ago we were fortunate enough to be able to see our little man again in 3D!  He has already changed so much from the last time we saw him at 21 weeks.  I was just under 35 weeks at our last appointment and my oh my did his cheeks get chubby!  At 21 weeks he was a spitting image of his Daddy, but it looks like now he has taken on some of my traits, which makes me pretty excited:).  I think he has got my lips, but I think he will have his Daddy's eyes, nose, and chin.  We were told that he is a very healthy baby weighing in at over 5lbs already and he has big hands and feet (which he gets from Daddy!).  My fluid levels were great, because Josh says I have an addiction to water (which I think is a good thing:)).  The appointment went great and we couldn't be more excited to meet him!

21 weeks



34 weeks 5 days

my little chunker :)



already a happy boy!



Last Friday my co-workers had thrown me a shower and they had also surprised me by inviting Josh to come as well!  They had cheeseballs (one of the first things I craved), bacon wrapped tator tots from Highlife Lounge, and Monster Bars.  Some enjoyed some wine and beer, and we also had punch!  They were way too generous with the gifts, but Josh and I are much appreciative of their generosity.  The Live Healthy America peeps and Susan G. Komen got Baby R a swing, changing pad, a frog changing pad cover, and waterproof covers for the pad.  My friends at Advocacy Strategies got Baby R a highchair, diapers, 2 books, and onsies.  Once again, we are so blessed to have so many great friends in our life!

LHA and Advocacy Strategies (minus Susan G Komen)

Live Healthy America crew!

Saturday night some of the cops wives met up for a girls' night out for drinks and sushi at Sakari Sushi Lounge.  It was amazing as usual and all the ladies looked fabulous!  After dinner the rest of the crew went out to do some dancing (so jealous!).  I went home after dinner, but it was good to get out for a bit and to see everyone.  I told them that we need to schedule one in a couple months because I'm sure mama will need a night out! :)

The latest belly pic............

36 weeks!

35 weeks and counting....

Less than 5 weeks to go before the due date!  We had a few busy weekends in October, so it was nice to have some down time this past weekend.  I had my sister-in-law's baby shower on the 15th, who is due the day before me, and then a good friend of mine; Kylie, who is due the first part of January, also had a baby shower on the 22nd in Omaha so it has been babies, babies, and more babies for me! :)  I was glad to see Justin and Sydney's new house and check out the nursery, of which Sydney painted herself!!  They have a beautiful home and the nursery couldn't be more perfect.  I am so excited that our little boy gets to have a cousin of the same sex and age to grow up with.  I'm sure there will be plenty of mischief for them to cause, but I think it comes with the territory of having boys!

almost fits together perfect! :)

every little boy needs a good pair of cowboy boots! :)

Both showers went very well and I was very excited to spend this special time with both of them.  Kylie also got engaged that day, so it was a very memorable day for her.  She had a Husker Themed shower, which couldn't have fit her better!  I just wish she lived closer so I could see her more often!!  Kylie is also having a boy so BabyR already has so many friends! :)  I was thankful to have Shea to ride to Omaha with because it might've been a pretty long ride alone!

She looks so good! :)

Kylie and Shea

Love these girls!

Josh and I have definitely started the "nesting" phase.  We have almost everything in the nursery ready to go.  We still need to get a changing mat, glider, and a few other small things before the nursery is complete.  We want to hang a photo of Josh and I from the maternity pics we got taken as well so he will always have us watching over him!  Last weekend we went to Target and got the rest of what we need off our registry with the giftcards we had received.  We are so thankful for the many gifts and cards we have received from friends and family.  It has truly meant so much to the two of us.  There are so many expenses that comes with your first child!  Thankfully, we should be set for our next and will only have to get a few new things! :)  The big things we got were our stroller and car seat.  We knew that those were both a must before he gets here because we couldn't leave the hospital without the car seat! :)  Right when we got home Josh assembled both car seat and stroller and read the instruction manuals cover to cover to ensure he knew everything there was to know about both.  He tested out the car seat in my car to make sure everything was working properly.  I am so lucky to have a husband that is willing to do all that he does and makes sure that we are ALWAYS taken care of. 

So proud!

We had to test it out to see if Boston approved!

getting everything just right...

We have all the clothes ready to go in the dresser.  I have realized how anal I am about where everything is placed in the drawers.  I want everything to be just perfect.  I will eventually have to redo everything because I still have to wash all his clothes.  That is on my list of things to do next weekend. 

This week we are going to go visit another daycare (in home).  Last week we went on our first visit (to a center) and really didn't know what to expect because it was a first for the both of us and we didn't really have anything to compare it to.  It will be a relief once we know what daycare we will be using.  I am already not looking forward to the first time that I have to take him there:(.  Six weeks just doesn't seem like long enough to spend with him!  Thankfully, Josh will be taking some time off after I go back as well, so we won't need daycare until the end of February or so...

Now for the updated belly pics!

34 weeks

35 weeks

Oh Charley!

During the past month or so I have had a little visitor during the night...that's right, the Charley Horse!  Most of these occurances haven't been too painful and I have been able to stop them, for the most part, before they really start.  The only place that I have been getting these is in my right calf. 

Before pregnancy I would get the occasional calf cramp in my right leg and definitely got them in high school during track season.  I thought at first it was because I had stopped my running routine, which meant that I hadn't been stretching like I used to.  But after talking with the dr., some friends, and my mom I found that this is pretty normal for some pregnant women.  My mom said that she got them pretty bad during her pregnancy with my brother, but not with me, so it might just be if you're having a boy thing!

Last night was by far the worst one that I have had thus far.  It happened at about 630 this morning, and this one I could not stop from happening.  It was so bad that I woke Josh up by my moaning from being in pain!  He immediately jumped out of bed and grabbed by foot to flex my calf.  I swore he had to of used some kind of superhuman strength to get my foot pushed back because it was so painful!  He got the cramp stopped, thank goodness!  I felt bad for waking him, but I was also a little relieved because I couldn't get it stopped myself:).  So needless to say, my calf is pretty sore this morning!!

Anywho, we only have 45 more days to go!  I can't believe it!  He will be here before we know it.  Next month we have our Breastfeeding Essentials, Baby Basics, and our FastTrack Birthing Classes so lots to learn before he arrives!  We finally got all the decals put up in the nursery (and by we I meant Josh).  It turned out great and we know that the baby will love it just as much as we do!

before the birds and squirrels...

with the final touches!

The baby will have some friends watching over him all the time:)

Busy Weekend with only 8 weeks to go!

We have hit the 32 week mark!  With only 8 weeks left it seems so close to our little guy's arrival. 

Josh and I both spent the weekend in Villisca, which it had been awhile since I had been there and I believe July since Josh has been able to go!  It was packed full of events, but all went well and it was a successful weekend.

Saturday morning, we had maternity pictures taken by Autumn Kline, who is the owner of Studio Kline, out of Clarinda.  She is married to one of my brother's best friends, so she was the first who came to mind to capture this moment in our lives and we could not have asked for a better day to take them.  We had them taken out at Hacklebarney Park in Villisca.  This is a pretty special spot for Josh and I because it is where he proposed to me and also where we got our wedding pictures taken.  Autumn did such an amazing job and I can't wait to see the final product.  I highly recommend her to anyone!!  Saturday night we all went out for dinner (Mom, Dad, Nick, Bethann, Josh, and me), so it was a great day!

Sunday I had my last shower which was in Villisca.  My Mom, Aunt Denise, and Grandma did such a good job and it was a great shower.  They decorated with balloons and had sandwiches, nuts, and fruit to snack on along with punch and cupcakes!  We played a couple games; one that everyone had to guess the measurement of mommy to be, which I thought was pretty funny:), and the other was you had to guess the kind of candybar that was smushed in a play diaper.  After some snacks and games I opened gifts and got some great useful things!  Most of my family, some friends, and some of Josh's were able to come which was a blessing to have such a good turnout!

30 & 31 Week Belly Pics!

I forgot to put up belly pics from last week so here is this week and last week!

30 weeks

31 weeks

Still feeling pretty good!  Other than it being uncomfortable and difficult to bend over to get just about anything, I feel great!